Feedback, Feedforward, and a Theatrical Technique for Agile Teams
What Does It Mean to Communicate?
The word communication brings to the surface something we use every day… yet rarely explore in depth.
We are, essentially, language — symbols we use to build meaning, shape the world, and interpret one another.
We live within a symbolic system made of words, gestures, expressions, and tone. That’s why communication is never neutral. It's a creative and interpretative act, both conscious and unconscious.
Each word can hold multiple meanings, depending on culture, region (even between the North and South of the same country), or even the emotional state of the listener.
Communicating with clarity and intention is not just desirable, it’s essential.
It requires attention to symbols, context, and the meanings each person may attach to what we say.
Communication Is More Than Words
Beyond the verbal, there are many ways to communicate — and each person receives and responds differently.
We can think of three predominant sensory channels in communication:
● Visual: images, facial expressions, body language
● Auditory: tone, rhythm, volume, words
● Kinesthetic: physical sensations, empathy, emotion
We often say something that seems “correct,” but what actually reaches the other person is what they interpret — based on their experience, dominant channel, and cultural background.
A simple exercise:
When someone says something important to us, are we really listening or just interpreting?
Do we validate our understanding?
How often do we jump to conclusions instead of asking with curiosity?
Later on, we’ll explore a technique inspired by theatre that helps us develop these essential communication tools — listening, feedback, and questioning — within an agile team context, ultimately fostering empathy and team cohesion.
Feedback That Unlocks the Future
Giving feedback isn’t just about pointing out what went wrong. It’s a practice of listening, empathy, and connection.
● Non-verbal communication matters: posture, tone of voice, facial expressions… everything counts.
● Active listening is essential: being present, without judging or preparing your reply.
● Paraphrasing helps validate understanding.
More than repeating words, it's about making sure we grasp the core of what was said and giving the other person space to confirm or clarify.
It's within this safe space that feedforward happens naturally, not as correction, but as co-creation of the next step.
What If We Used Theatre to Train This?
There’s a technique inspired by improvisational theatre that can be transformative for agile teams: constant questioning.
Instead of responding automatically, we learn to stay in the question, to listen, and to go deeper.
"Instead of reacting, we ask.
Instead of judging, we explore."
In a context where there’s no agility without mutual understanding, this practice brings lightness, well-being, and a sense of play — everything a team needs to build trust and stretch itself safely.
How Does It Work?
The dynamic is simple, fun, and challenging.
Always with two participants at a time, in a rotating format:
● Whoever “loses” (responds instead of asking, hesitates, or blocks) steps out.
● The person who “wins” (maintains a fluent flow of questioning) stays in.
● Another team member steps in, and the game continues.
Rules to Apply
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Clear topic, e.g., “How can we improve our meetings?”
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Suspend judgment. Avoid jumping to conclusions.
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Only questions. No disguised statements.
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Focus on the other person. The question is to support, not to impress.
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Playful and light tone. Laughter is welcome. Mistakes too.
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Value silence. Thinking before speaking is a superpower.
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Gradually increase the speed. To create focus, creativity, and challenge under pressure — but in a safe space where everyone knows they’re experimenting.
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Facilitators gently provoke. “Was that really a question?”, “Does it make sense to continue?”
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Cohesion happens without noticing. The group starts to align and correct itself naturally. And that… is emerging culture.
A Practical Example
Topic: “How can we improve remote collaboration?”
A: “Do you think we use digital tools effectively?”
B: “What would using them effectively look like to you?”
A: “Did you feel like we collaborated well yesterday?”
B: “Yes, I think so…” (Disguised answer!)
Facilitator: “Was that a question? Team, what do you think? Continue or switch?”
The group decides. They laugh, reflect, participate.
And without even realizing it, they’re practicing presence, listening, and cohesion.
Why Does This Matter?
Because truly agile teams aren’t just fast.
They’re safe, human, connected, and aware.
And this kind of dynamic creates a space where feedback and feedforward stop being formal events — and become a fluid way of interacting, aligning, and building clarity around expectations.
By: Manuela Rebocho
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