FEEDBACK: NEED AND IMPORTANCE

FEEDBACK: NEED AND IMPORTANCE

Feedback is the response or reply by the receiver of the message to the sender of the message. Feedback is one of the important elements of communication. A communication process without feedback is not an effective communication.

Let us discuss the need and importance of feedback with the following points:                           

1) Last Link: Feedback is the last link in the process of communication. Communication is a two-way process. When the receiver responds the sender with feedback second way is completed.

2) Feedback helps the Sender to know whether the message has reached: It is only when the receiver responds back to the message the sender comes to know whether the message has reached the receiver. For example- a delivery boy of Flipkart or Amazon takes the signature of receiver on delivering the order so that he can inform the sender when and whom the message (here the order) has reached.

3) Feedback helps the Sender to know whether the message has been understood: It is very important for the receiver to understand the message in the way the sender wants him to understand. However, a sender may become aware of fact of understanding of receiver only if he or she may reply, e.g., in a reputed company, the boss called his assistant and said “These papers are very important so burn them and keep a copy in record”. Here, by burning, boss meant taking a zerox but the assistant understood he was required to burn the copy. The assistant without clarifying burnt those papers and boss had to face major loss. Hence, it is very important for sender to know whether the message has been understood the way he intended.

4) Feedback can be Positive or Negative: Positive feedback tells the sender everything is ‘Okay’ and he should continue. Negative feedback tells the sender that what he is saying is out of understanding and needs modification. Ex- When a teacher explains a new topic in the class, he can obtain students’ feedback by asking them questions. If the students have understood, they can answer well otherwise the teacher should understand that further simplification of topic is required.

5) Feedback can be Verbal or Non-verbal: One may give direct feedback that is by using words. This is verbal feedback. Verbal feedback is possible in face-to-face communication. If the feedback is given with the use of body language, facial expression, or other means, it is non-verbal feedback.

6) Feedback can be immediate or delayed: In face-to-face communication feedback is immediate. But in written communication feedback may be delayed.