Feedback is a process in which the output of an action is returned or fed- back to modify the next action. Feedback is considered as a reaction by the environment towards an action.  In fact feedback is information about a past behaviour, which is delivered at present, so as to improve the behaviour in the future. In communication, feedback is considered as a response by the receiver to the message transmitted by the sender.

The type of feedback may be positive, negative, constructive, delayed, immediate, complex and simple. However, we should consider utilizing the positive and constructive feedbacks provided by people around. 

The importance of feedback

1. Completes the process or loop of communication
2. Gathering of knowledge takes place.
3. Able to remove misunderstandings.
4. Helps in further proceeding with the communication.
5. The approach is democratic.
6. Helps in quick problem resolutions.
7. Helps in better understanding.
8. Brings about better coordination.
9. Builds better relationship.
10. Makes the communication effective.
11. Paves way for new idea generation.
12. Able to sense opinion, mood, bias, perspective etc.

By taking in feedback with a growth mindset, we will be able to improve our world.

Story

In late 1989, Germany was still split in two, the democratic West and communist East. That year wasn’t too kind for the East Germany communist regime, since it was rocked by major protests and civil disobedience.

A constant fixture of the protesting East Germans the freedom to travel to West Germany, and not have their movement impeded or restricted.

Eventually, the Communist Party leadership decided to cave in to these demands, and came up with a set of regulations designed to ease the process of travelling in between the two Germany’s.

 The Communist Party agreed on the form of the regulations early on the 9th of November. The plan was for the regulations to come into effect the following day, on the 10th. This would give the border guards enough time for an orderly application of the new regulations.

Later during the day of 9th of November, the Berlin Communist Party leader was due to hold a press conference. Shortly before the conference, he was given a note that detailed how the new regulations would work. What the note didn’t contain however, was the exact time when they would come into effect.

After he announced the changes at the press conference, the journalists asked when they would come into effect.

Caught unprepared, and with no obvious future date, he responded with “As far as I know, it takes effect immediately, without delay” which was obviously a feedback with no clarity.

Immediately after, throngs of people stormed the Berlin Wall border crossings, demanding to cross into West Berlin.

Vastly outnumbered, confused and with no clear orders, the East German border guards eventually gave in. Soon after, order broke down and no form of regulation that restricted movement was capable of being enforced. Within the next few hours and days, the process of destroying the Berlin Wall was in full swing.

Activity

Write down three ways in which you would provide feedback to improve the communication loop.

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Quote

“We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve.”
– Bill Gates

Takeaways

1. Feedback is a process in which the output of an action is returned or fed- back to modify the next action
2. By taking in feedback with a growth mindset, we will be able to improve our world.