Unlocking the Power of Feedback: Insights from Formula One's Danny Ricciardo

I’m a little late to the game, but thanks to the Netflix series “Drive to Survive” I’ve become a bit obsessed with Formula One racing. With only 20 F1 drivers at any given time, these world-class athletes exhibit unbelievable hand-eye coordination as they pilot what can only be described as rocket ships on some of the most challenging racecourses around the globe. While each driver has their own unique personality, it's hard to deny that Daniel Ricciardo's almost constant smile and sense of humor make him one of the sport's most captivating characters.

Recently, I had the pleasure of listening to Dax Sheppard's "Armchair Expert" podcast, where he interviewed the one and only F1 driver Danny Ricciardo. Their in-depth discussion about the world of F1 racing is fascinating and one particular conversation stood out to me. Dax asked whether Danny considered himself a motorhead with a deep understanding of the intricate

mechanics underpinning these multi-million dollar cars. What Danny revealed surprised me; he admitted that he wasn't the most automotive and engine-savvy F1 driver. He confessed:

"It’s funny because my mates will say, 'dude, you’re driving these multi-million dollar cars with the most technology, the most advanced machinery in the world, and yet you might know how to change a spark plug, you might know how to take off your tire, but that’s about it. And I’m okay with that. I like not really knowing a whole lot. I like investing more of my energy into the driving. It makes me approach it with a bit more of a carefree attitude, and I think that helps me drive better, perform better, and take the pressure off it."

What came next was a brilliant revelation, not just for the world of Formula One, but for any professional career:

"Where I’m good with my driving? Feedback," said Ricciardo. "I think I’m really good at feeling what the car does and relaying that back to the team. I’m able to give detailed real-time feedback to my team during the race to optimize the performance of the car. That’s one of my superpowers."

This statement resonated with me deeply, and it's a lesson that applies universally, transcending the boundaries of F1 racing. Having spent over 30 years in the tech and financial services industry, I've come to realize the paramount importance of providing clear and detailed feedback on the performance of a product to the engineering and business teams. Vague comments like "It is great" or "I’m not that big of a fan" do little to enhance the performance of any product or in a problem's root-cause-analysis. Articulating in detail why a specific feature falls short of the expected user experience is fundamental to the product development life cycle, and it's often one of the most challenging tasks to master.

Individuals who possess the ability to fluently speak both "engineering development" and "business" languages, while pinpointing the root problems and the missing key features, are truly worth their weight in gold. They bridge the gap between these two worlds, making it possible to create products that not only meet expectations but exceed them.

However, feedback isn't a one-way street. Just as important, and often overlooked, is the ability of product owners, both from the business and engineering sides, to genuinely listen to the "driver of the car." Countless times, I've witnessed "user error" being hastily assigned as the root cause of a quality assurance ticket or the launch of products that are solutions in search of problems. In his book "Made to Stick," author Chip Heath succinctly captures this dynamic:

"People who design products are experts cursed by their knowledge, and they can’t imagine what it is like to be as ignorant as the rest of us."

The insight shared by Danny Ricciardo from the world of Formula One holds profound relevance in our professional lives. Feedback is the driving force behind progress, and the ability to provide and receive it effectively is a superpower in its own right. So, whether you're on the racetrack or in the corporate world, remember that feedback is the engine that propels us toward excellence. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it drive you to success.