Change your questions. Change your feedback—Your Shot of Fearless Culture #418

Where change agents find their weekly dose of culture insights and exercises, one topic at a time.

Mar 25, 2026

Most feedback conversations don’t fail because of what’s said.

They fail because of what isn’t asked.

Too often, the giver shows up with a mental script. And the receiver shows up braced for impact. Neither is truly curious.

Some people overprepare. Others, wing it. Either way, they don’t keep their minds open.

Feedback is a conversation. It needs structure, but it also needs room to breathe. That’s why the right question beats any perfect feedback tip.

Real growth happens in the pause between a provocative question and a thoughtful answer.

Stop treating feedback like a verdict: Guilty or not guilty. Instead, focus on what’s possible, not on who did what.

In my latest piece, I share 100 questions to help you give and receive better feedback. I give you the questions. The choice is yours.

Explore this week’s newsletter:

→ My latest article: 100 Questions to Give and Receive Better Feedback

→ Practical tools and insights to facilitate team conversations

Stay fearless, my friend.

Gustavo

PS, For the procrastinators (no judgment). If Forward Talk has been in your “I’ll get to it” list, here’s your chance:

Barnes & Noble is offering 25% off preorders. You must have a B&N account (it’s free) to participate).

Click here and enter code: PREORDER25 at checkout. Offer ends March 26. Consider this your excuse to stop waiting.

In Case You Missed It

→ The Five R’s of Feedback: A Blueprint for Better Conversations

Ask Your Team This

Before giving feedback, ask: Is this specific and useful, or just noise?

⚠️ Try This

The messenger is the message.

Before you give feedback, ask yourself this:

Does this person trust me enough to actually hear my feedback?

If you’re not sure, don’t skip the feedback; change the messenger. Ask a more trusted colleague to have the conversation instead.

The idea is not to avoid discomfort, but to be effective. Weak trust distorts the message. Your job is to improve outcomes, not to be the messenger all the time.

🍦 Feed Your Curiosity

The worst mistake people make when receiving negative feedback

To scale AI agents successfully, treat them as team members

Four ways to calm down your defensiveness

Why trust is the foundation of effective feedback

✏️ Last 2026 Cohort

This is your last chance to join the last Build a Fearless Culture program in 2026.

Starting May, I’ll be shifting my primary focus to Forward Talk — my new book’s framework.

If you’ve been considering joining, this is your last chance.

Book your spot:

👉 Build a Fearless Culture Program

Our culture design programs have 100+ 5-star Google Reviews.

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