Imagine teaching a child to throw. But each time they threw the ball, they had to wait 6 to 12 months for any feedback? Imagine writing code for an app but having to wait 3 months before testing it to see if it works.
And now imagine trying to create a “great place to work” where you receive feedback from employees every 12 months. Or perhaps processing an invoice or welding something without ever having received any feedback on whether it was good or bad.
At the core of any improvement activity is a feedback loop that allows you to determine whether you performed better or worse than expected (or hoped for). Yet, in many organisations, these feedback loops either take too long or are entirely absent. Consequently, day after day, week after week, we continue to follow the same steps, the same processes, and the same patterns of behaviour while hoping for different results.
When designing or redesigning any process, we need to consider
- What information do we need feedback on, to ensure we are doing it right
- How will that information be fed back through the system
- And how long will it take after doing something to get the feedback (the shorter the better)
Feedback Loops Drive Iteration and Improvement
At the core of effective learning and personal development lies the concept of continuous iteration, powered by feedback loops. These loops allow individuals to engage in a structured process of trial, feedback, adjustment, and retrying. When a person takes an action—whether it’s attempting a new skill, applying a strategy, or making a decision—they receive some form of feedback in return. This might be a result, a performance outcome, or input from others. That feedback is then evaluated: Was the action successful? What went wrong? What could be improved?
Based on this reflection, the individual makes a conscious adjustment and tries again, this time with more insight and refinement. Over time, these repeated cycles of action and correction lead to noticeable improvements. This process transforms failure into data rather than discouragement. It empowers learners and professionals to test ideas, take risks, and continuously hone their abilities. For example, a designer creating a user interface will test various layouts, gather user feedback, analyse what’s working, and iterate until the design is intuitive and effective. Each round builds upon the last, showing how feedback loops serve as engines of gradual but consistent advancement.
Feedback Loops Help Close the Gap Between Action and Outcome
One of the most powerful aspects of a well-designed feedback loop is its ability to close the gap between an individual’s actions and the outcomes those actions produce. Often, without feedback, there is ambiguity—people may not know if what they are doing is effective or even relevant. When feedback is timely, specific, and tied directly to performance, it makes the connection between cause and effect much clearer. This clarity is essential for learning because it enables people to understand not just what happened, but why it happened.
When learners or professionals receive clear signals about the results of their behaviour, they’re in a better position to self-correct and take ownership of their improvement. They don’t have to rely solely on external judgment—they can observe, reflect, and adapt in real-time. For instance, a public speaker who records their presentation and reviews audience reactions can pinpoint where engagement drops or enthusiasm peaks. This immediate feedback helps them fine-tune their delivery and connect better in future talks. The feedback loop becomes a mirror, reflecting back the effectiveness of their actions and enabling deliberate, informed change. By closing this loop, feedback transforms learning from a passive process into an active, empowered pursuit.
Next Steps
Building a culture of continuous improvement requires the right mindset, tools, and support system. At Leanscape, we specialise in helping organisations unlock their potential by fostering a feedback-rich environment that drives progress and innovation. Whether you are striving to refine processes, enhance team collaboration, or achieve measurable results, Leanscape offers tailored strategies and actionable frameworks to guide your improvement journey.
Take the next step in cultivating excellence within your organisation. Visit Leanscape today and learn how we can empower you to turn challenges into opportunities, fueling sustainable growth.
