Constructive feedback and a positive feedforward culture
Do you want a workplace where colleagues address each other in a positive and forward-looking manner? A culture where feedback is not criticism but a motivational tool for mutual growth? We believe that constructive feedback, or feedforward, is the key to a strong feedback culture. It helps teams focus not only on what is going well but also on how strengths can be further utilized to achieve shared goals.
Feedforward highlights what is already working well and adds concrete suggestions for improvement to encourage growth. This positive, future-focused approach strengthens trust and collaboration, allowing team members to address each other constructively and motivationally.
Discover on this page how our approach to constructive feedback and feedforward helps your organization build a positive feedback culture.
“The different focus areas within the GHOR were like separate islands. The goal was to form a stronger team where colleagues dare to address each other positively and constructively.”
Jacqueline van Dormolen – GHOR Hollands Midden
What is constructive feedback and a feedforward culture?
It’s essential to understand how constructive feedback, feedforward, and a feedforward culture interconnect. Together, they form the foundation for positive and effective communication within teams and organizations.
Constructive feedback
Constructive feedback focuses on enhancing strengths and encouraging development. It combines recognizing what is going well with providing concrete suggestions for improvement. This approach ensures feedback is not perceived as criticism but as motivation to look forward and grow.
Feedforward
Feedforward is the key to effective and constructive feedback. It emphasizes positive and future-focused conversations, ensuring that feedback resonates with the recipient. By highlighting strengths and offering concrete suggestions for improvement, feedforward fosters trust, avoids defensiveness, and boosts motivation.
A feedforward culture
A feedforward culture emerges when constructive feedback becomes the norm in an organization. Employees feel safe addressing each other and view conversations as opportunities to grow stronger together. In such a culture, the focus is not on what went wrong but on what is going well and how it can be further developed to achieve shared goals.
“Feedforward is now a well-known concept at AstraZeneca. It’s a valuable way to build together positively, allowing space for conversations without too much emotion or irritation—and if these do arise, they are made discussable.”
Patty Scholten, HR Site Lead and MT Member – AstraZeneca Nijmegen
Why is constructive feedback important for organizations?
A culture centered on constructive feedback and feedforward creates a safe and motivating work environment. Employees and teams address each other positively and concretely, strengthening collaboration and promoting growth and innovation. Constructive feedback shows employees that their efforts are valued while providing them with tools to further develop.
When teams see feedback as an opportunity to grow together, lasting engagement emerges, leading to better results. Organizations with a feedforward culture see motivated employees who are willing to learn together and take responsibility for personal and collective goals.
The 10 benefits of constructive feedback and a feedforward culture:
- Growth and innovation: Employees are encouraged to maximize strengths and develop creative solutions, contributing to continuous improvement.
- Higher engagement and motivation: Positive and constructive conversations make employees feel heard and recognized, leading to better performance and stronger collaboration.
- Stronger teamwork and dynamics: Teams that address each other constructively work more effectively, fostering trust and respect.
- Increased employee satisfaction and retention: Constructive feedback makes employees feel part of the organization’s success, boosting satisfaction and reducing turnover.
- More effective problem-solving: A safe feedback culture encourages employees to openly discuss challenges and find better solutions together.
- Reduced absenteeism and increased well-being: A positive work environment lowers stress and burnout, leading to less absenteeism and greater productivity.
- Higher customer satisfaction: Engaged and motivated employees directly enhance customer experience and loyalty.
- Increased confidence and ownership: Constructive feedback gives employees confidence in their abilities and encourages them to take responsibility for their development and contributions to the team.
- Accelerated development: Focusing on strengths and practical improvement points creates a learning environment where employees grow faster, both personally and professionally.
- Promotion of a learning culture: Feedback is seen as an opportunity to learn, fostering openness to growth and continuous improvement.
Our programs support teams in building a feedforward culture where constructive feedback is the foundation. Through practical tools and a focus on collaboration, we help organizations create a workplace that thrives on positive and effective communication.
Our custom programs for constructive feedback and a feedforward culture
We offer custom programs, inspiring workshops, coaching, and peer review sessions to help employees and leaders strengthen their skills and build a culture where constructive feedback and feedforward are central. Positive and future-oriented conversations become part of daily practice, enabling teams to collaborate better and achieve collective success.
Our programs ensure that employees and leaders can immediately apply what they learn. This creates noticeable improvements in personal development and team collaboration, building a sustainable and motivating feedback culture.
“We wanted a training that not only provided insights but also allowed us to actively practice addressing each other and giving feedforward. Muriel’s approach appealed to us because it’s scientifically grounded yet highly practical.”
Daniëlle Bimmel, Team Communication – Hecht
What makes our approach unique?
With over 25 years of experience in enhancing communication and collaboration within teams and organizations, our focus is on embedding constructive feedback and a feedforward culture that helps organizations achieve lasting growth. Led by Muriel Schrikkema, our custom programs, inspiring workshops, and coaching sessions are tailored to the specific challenges and goals of your organization.
What sets us apart:
- Immediately applicable skills: Our programs ensure that employees and leaders can apply what they learn right away, resulting in a clear impact on personal development and team collaboration.
- Scientific foundation: We use a proven approach, such as the feedforward analysis™, to make conversations positive and future-oriented.
- Sustainable results: With long-term support, such as team coaching and peer review sessions, we help embed a culture of continuous learning and development.
Our approach strengthens leaders’ communication and coaching skills while supporting teams in working together more effectively and achieving shared goals.
More information
Would you like to build a feedback culture that motivates and encourages growth? Contact Muriel Schrikkema to learn how our custom programs can help your team address each other constructively and positively.