What is feedback?

Feedback is not advice, praise, or

evaluation. Feedback is information
about how one is doing in effort to
reach a goal. There are two types of
feedback-giving and receiving- and
both are not the easiest.
Understanding how to give feedback
and to receive feedback is important
in a leadership role.
Feedback is:
o Written comments
o Electronic Comments
o Meetings with individuals
o Suggestions from peers
7 Advantages or Importance of
Feedback in Communication: Do we
really need Feedback?
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Feedback is important in two-way communication. It completes

two-way communications and provides a basis of understanding
regarding the successful delivery of a message. The advantages
or importance of feedback are highlighted below.

1. Basis of problem-solving: In two-way communication,

feedback is compulsory. The sender can only justify the attitude
of the receiver if the feedback is provided. So, feedback ‘
ensures the basis of problem-solving and this is one of the
importance of feedback.

2. Democratic approach: It is a democratic approach to

communication. It involves the participation of the receiver and
therefore provides scope to express an opinion. It is another
advantage of feedback.

3. Effective communication: Two-way communication gets

confirmed that the message is rightly sent and can understand
the success or failure of communication.

4. Identification of Improvement Area: Feedback gives input

to the sender regarding the message provided by him. This
helps to improve the communication problem.

5. Better understanding: Feedback helps to understand the

view and opinion of the receiver. With a better understanding,
the sender decides on the next step.
6. Creating healthy relations: One-way communication cannot
create healthy relationships in the case of labor management.
Hence two-way communications are effective and therefore
lower-level employees can depend on feedback to raise their
voices.

7. Effective coordination: Feedback enables effective

coordination in an organization. All concerned departments can
share the work-in-progress through the means of feedback. It
supports the successful completion of a job or transaction.

GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK

1. Acknowledge the need for Feedback

2. Give Both Positive and Negative Feedback

3. Understand the context

4. Provide Definitions: Terms, Meanings, Use Examples

and Illustrations

5. Use Common Language

6. Don’t Assume that the other person is on the same page

as you

7. Focus on Behavior Rather than People: Address

Hostility, Fear and Defensiveness

8. Know When to give Feedback

9. Know How to Give Feedback

KNOW WHEN NOT TO GIVE FEEDBACK

1. Unsure background/Circumstances
2. Hit and run feedback not fair: To be not around during
the process
3. Feedback topic on which the person has no power to
change.
4. Person is low in self-esteem
5. You, yourself is in low spirits
6. You are not giving feedback to improve but criticize and
put the person in a tight spot.
7. Inappropriate Time, Place, Circumstances

KNOWING HOW TO GIVE EFFECTIVE FEEDBACK

1. Be Descriptive
2. Be Objective
3. Don’t use Labels
4. Don’t Exaggerate
5. Don’t be Judgemental
6. Speak for yourself
7. Talk first about yourself and not about the other person
8. Phrase the Issue as a Statement , Not as a Question
9. Encourage People to Change
10. Restrict your feedback to Things you Know for Certain
11. Build Trust
12. Help People Hear and Accept Your Compliments When
Giving Positive Feedback
Knowing How to Receive Feedback
1. Breathe
2. Listen Carefully
3. Ask Questions for Clarity
4. Acknowledge the Feedback
5. Acknowledge Valid Points
6. Don’t be Defensive
7. Try To understand the other person’s objectives
8. Take Time Out to Sort out what you Heard