From Event to Habit

In most companies, feedback shows up twice a year, in a formal review. That rarity is the problem. When something happens only once or twice a year, it feels heavy and high-stakes, and people brace for it. The fix is not a better review form.

Normalized feedback runs on a virtuous cycle. The more feedback flows, the less scary it feels. The less scary it feels, the more honest people get. The more honest they are, the faster small problems get fixed before they grow. Each round makes the next one easier.