From Barre to Boardroom: The Power of Precision and Feedback

It was a cold morning, and I arrived at my Barre class only to find I was the sole attendee. What might have been a canceled session instead turned into an unexpected private lesson. The routine itself was familiar, but what stood out was the precision of the experience. With no one else in the room, my instructor gave me her full attention, offering specific guidance and, when needed, asking for permission to adjust my form. The results were immediate: better posture, smoother execution, and a tangible sense of improvement.

What struck me wasn’t just the improvement in my performance but how it happened. The combination of personalized feedback, specific corrections, and trust-building made all the difference. It reminded me of a critical leadership truth: small, intentional adjustments can yield transformative results, whether in the studio, the boardroom, or across an entire organization.

From Barre to Operations: Lessons in Precision and Feedback

The experience at Barre wasn’t entirely new to me. It reminded me of a time when I was coached to present to a board, an experience that carried high stakes and required me to refine not just my delivery but also my perspective as a leader. At the time, the stakes were high, and I had limited experience in such settings. An executive leader guided me with a mix of care and directness, much like my Barre instructor. This guidance not only improved my performance but reshaped how I approach feedback in leadership:

• Precision Matters: He identified specific areas where I needed to improve—refining my message, perfecting my delivery, and anticipating potential questions. Like my Barre instructor, he didn’t overwhelm me with vague advice; he focused on actionable steps.
• Permission to Adjust: Recognizing my initial hesitation, he sought my buy-in before suggesting changes to how I approached the presentation. This built trust and made me more receptive to his feedback.
• Visible Impact: By the time I presented to the board, I felt confident and prepared. The adjustments he suggested led to a more engaging and polished delivery, which resonated with the audience.

The Power of Precision and Care

At its core, effective leadership is about balancing care with directness. It’s a leadership principle that fosters trust and growth through honest, actionable feedback delivered with empathy. My experiences—both in the Barre studio and during board preparation—highlight its power:

1. Be Specific

In both scenarios, vague instructions wouldn’t have driven improvement. Whether it was adjusting a stance or refining a presentation, specificity made the feedback actionable.

2. Build Trust First

Feedback is only effective when there’s trust. My Barre instructor asked for permission to correct my form, and the executive leader invited my input before suggesting changes to my approach. These small but significant gestures ensured I felt empowered and supported, not criticized or overwhelmed.

3. Focus on Impact

The ultimate goal of feedback is improvement. By focusing on clear, measurable outcomes—better form in the studio or a compelling presentation to the board—both experiences demonstrated the tangible benefits of intentional guidance.

Practical Tips for Precision Feedback

Leaders often encounter moments where thoughtful coaching can unlock potential and drive success. Here’s how to apply precision and empathetic feedback to create meaningful impact in your organization:

• Be Direct Yet Empathetic: Frame feedback in a way that challenges your team while showing you care about their growth.
• Seek Consent: Before diving into corrections, ensure your team member is open to feedback. This fosters trust and receptiveness.
• Clarify Expectations: Don’t just tell someone to “do better.” Specify what “better” looks like and how to get there.
• Measure Results: Follow up to ensure your feedback had the intended impact, whether in performance metrics, team dynamics, or individual growth.

Closing Reflection: Leadership Through Precision

Leadership, like Barre, thrives on the small adjustments as much as the bold moves. It’s in the precision of your feedback, the clarity of your vision, and the trust you foster that true potential is unlocked, not just for individuals but for entire teams and organizations. Whether you’re guiding a team member through a critical initiative or addressing everyday challenges, clear, intentional feedback does more than elevate individual performance. It creates a culture of growth, trust, and alignment across your organization.

So the next time you find yourself in a leadership moment, ask: Am I being clear? Am I building trust? Am I focusing on impact? You might find that these small adjustments lead to big results.