Why Great Leaders Use Feedforward, Not Just Feedback

Leadership today is not about correcting the past — it’s about shaping what happens next.

Why Feedforward Matters

Traditional feedback often triggers defense, fear, and ego.Feedforward activates learning, growth, and agency.

It shifts the conversation from What went wrong? to“How can we make the next step better?”

This mindset builds resilience, trust, and autonomy.

The Neuroscience Angle

When the brain perceives judgment, the amygdala activates.When it perceives opportunity, the prefrontal cortex takes over —and that’s where learning lives.

Feedforward lives in the second system.

How to Practice Feedforward

• Ask: “What do you want to improve next?”

• Offer two actionable suggestions

• Respond only with: “Thank you.”

• Follow up in 1–4 weeks

No debate, no defense, just progress.

A Leader’s Reflection

One executive put it perfectly:

“When I stopped trying to correct and started helping my team envision better actions, execution soared.”

Try This 5-Minute Ritual

At the end of each week, ask your team:

“What’s one thing you want to do better next week — and how can I support you?”

Watch the culture shift.

💬 Reflection Question

If your words turned into action, are they building someone up — or shutting them down?