One of the most powerful levers for growth—both personally and organizationally—is feedback. Not just receivingfeedback, but inviting it openly, consistently, and with genuine curiosity. As educational leaders navigating rapidly changing landscapes, we often find ourselves focused on delivering solutions and keeping systems running smoothly—but true growth happens when we widen the circle of voices informing our work.
This idea is beautifully captured in the AASA leadership blog: Leadership With the Lights On: Inviting Feedback That Fuels Growth (https://www.aasa.org/resources/aasa-blog/leadership-with-the-lights-on-inviting-feedback-that-fuels-...). The authors remind us that leadership is not a spotlight that illuminates only the path ahead, but a lantern that reveals obstacles and opportunities when held high for others to see.
🌱 Why Feedback Matters in EdTech
In our Google Education Community, feedback fuels:
-
Innovation in Practice — Learning from how educators, tech specialists, and instructional partners actually use tools leads to better integration strategies.
-
Trust and Shared Ownership — When team members feel heard, engagement increases and ownership of initiatives deepens.
-
Continuous Improvement — Feedback helps us pivot faster, refine professional learning, and reallocate resources where they matter most.
🔄 A Culture of Open Dialogue
Inviting feedback isn’t just about feedback forms or surveys—it’s about creating environments where:
-
Questions are welcomed
-
Problems are surfaced early
-
Challenges are discussed without fear of blame
-
Multiple perspectives influence decision-making
In the IT space, this might look like:
-
Listening sessions with educators before tool rollouts
-
Post-implementation debriefs after major system deployments
-
Anonymous suggestion channels that are regularly reviewed
-
Co-design of professional learning with classroom teachers
📣 How We Can Practically Invite Feedback
Here are a few ideas you can adapt in your context:
✔ Embed feedback loops into planning and implementation cycles
✔ Build time for reflection into team meetings
✔ Invite voices beyond leadership tables—teacher leaders, support staff, and even students
✔ Celebrate feedback that leads to improvement—not just “good news”
💬 Final Thought
Leaders with the lights on don’t wait for feedback—they create opportunities for it. When we build systems that genuinely welcome input, we make learning cultures that are stronger, more equitable, and more responsive.
I encourage you to read the AASA piece and reflect on how you are inviting feedback in your own leadership contexts.
➡️ Read more here: https://www.aasa.org/resources/aasa-blog/leadership-with-the-lights-on-inviting-feedback-that-fuels-...
Let’s continue to learn with each other, not just for each other.
