Which statement best describes positive vs corrective feedback?

• A. Positive feedback reinforces something that was done right; Corrective feedback discourages a behavior and recommending an alternative.
• B. Positive feedback reinforces something that was done right; Corrective feedback discourages a behavior and suggests an alternative.
• C. Positive feedback praises mistakes; Corrective feedback corrects everything.
• D. Positive feedback is the same as corrective feedback.

Answer: (B)

Positive feedback reinforces what was done correctly and encourages repeating that behavior, while corrective feedback addresses something that didn’t meet the standard and provides guidance on a better approach. In a Chipotle kitchen, this means praising accurate technique or safe practices—like proper handwashing or correctly assembling a burrito—so the team knows to keep doing it. When something isn’t right, corrective feedback steps in with a clear route to improvement, such as explaining the correct cooking time and temperature and outlining the exact next step to fix it. This combination helps maintain quality and safety on the line.

For example, you might acknowledge precise station setup and clean prep, which reinforces good habits. If a cook forgets to sanitize surfaces, corrective feedback would guide them to sanitize correctly now and remind them of the standard procedure for next time. The idea is to reinforce good actions and provide concrete guidance to correct deviations, not to praise mistakes or treat all feedback as the same.