Feedforward: A New Approach to Leadership Communication

• Basic understanding of team leadership and communication principles

Audience

• Team leaders
• Managers
• Supervisors
• HR professionals

Feedforward is a communication and leadership technique that focuses on providing constructive, forward-looking guidance to individuals or teams, rather than critiquing past actions or performance. Unlike traditional feedback, which often involves evaluating past behaviors and pointing out mistakes or areas for improvement, feedforward emphasizes what can be done moving forward to foster growth and development.

This instructor-led, live training (online or onsite) is aimed at beginner-level leaders and managers who wish to enhance their communication skills through the Feedforward approach, focusing on providing forward-looking, growth-oriented feedback for effective team development.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Understand the concept of Feedforward and its benefits over traditional feedback.
• Develop the skills to deliver future-focused, constructive input that promotes team growth.
• Learn techniques to build open dialogues and active listening for better team engagement.
• Foster a culture that supports continuous improvement through Feedforward practices.

Format of the Course

• Interactive lecture and discussion.
• Lots of exercises and practice.
• Hands-on implementation in a live-lab environment.

Course Customization Options

• To request a customized training for this course, please contact us to arrange.

Introduction to Feedforward

• Overview of traditional feedback vs. Feedforward
• Benefits of forward-looking communication for team development
• Case studies on the impact of Feedforward in leadership

Core Principles of Effective Feedforward Communication

• Key techniques for delivering future-oriented, actionable feedback
• The importance of positive language, specificity, and open-ended questions
• Exploring the concept of deep talk to create meaningful connections
• Guided discussion: Shifting from criticism to constructive guidance

Practical Application and Role-Playing Exercises

• Interactive practice sessions where participants engage in role-playing exercises
• Real-life scenarios to build confidence and adaptability in using Feedforward
• Peer feedback and coaching on communication style and effectiveness
• Customizing Feedforward strategies for different personalities and needs

Creating a Feedforward Culture in Your Team

• Strategies for integrating Feedforward into team meetings and performance reviews
• Building an action plan for embedding growth-oriented feedback in everyday interactions
• Group activity: Drafting a Feedforward plan for your team

Summary and Next Steps