Principle 3: Feedback

Essence

Without protected feedback loops, misalignment becomes culture.

Feedback is the system's nervous system—without it, blind spots harden into "how we do things." Protected loops (safe, multi-directional) surface tensions early, enabling alignment.

In Practice

- Starved: Escalations only; "no bad news"; retrospectives ignored.

- Healthy: Ambient rituals (circle check-ins, advice process) make truth routine.

- Symptoms: Surprises in reviews, chronic issues, low trust.

How t&i Applies It

- Diagnostic: Trace feedback flow (up/down/sideways)—spot suppression points.

- Intervention: Embed structural feedback (e.g., Sociocracy consent, regular 360s).

- Pathway: [Foundation Pathway](/pathways/foundation)

Sources / Next Steps

- Amy Edmondson, The Fearless Organization (psychological safety).

- Sociocracy (feedback in consent processes).

- Chris Argyris, Action Science (productive feedback).