Constructive feedback is essential in two-way communication, being a way to help colleagues learn and grow in their field inside the company. Its importance is also backed up by science: many studies have shown that the most efficient teams are those in which there is appreciative communication.
Feedback can be an excellent motivator for many team members to improve and engage more in the company's goals. But what are the strategies that help you provide truly constructive feedback? Read on to learn more about feedback in the communication process and its importance in the workplace.
What is feedback in communication?
Feedback in communication is the response, reaction, or information given by the recipient of a message to the sender. It is the process of letting someone know which areas they need to improve.
Feedback is essential to effective communication because it helps the sender check that their message has been understood and received as intended and modify their communication strategy as needed.
Feedback is crucial in two-way communication to ensure both sides are on the same page and can prevent misunderstandings or confusion. It also strengthens the bonds of trust and rapport between the sender and the recipient.
Giving constructive feedback on communication is a crucial leadership trait. It enables you to support each team member in enhancing their capacity to interact with their colleagues, clients, stakeholders, and outside vendors and convey their requirements and concerns.
You can give feedback on communication orally or nonverbally, in writing, through written remarks, facial expressions, or body language. While negative feedback may be used to pinpoint areas for growth, positive feedback is frequently utilized to support and encourage effective communication.
Types of feedback in communication
There are several types of feedback in communication, each serving a specific purpose in the communication process. Here are some of the most common types of feedback:
- Formal feedback - many companies adopt this type of feedback for evaluating productivity in a given time. Its structure is simple and objective, giving both the managers and employees a chance to talk about what they can improve in their work and communication strategy;
- Evaluative feedback is a way to describe an individual's behavior and has beneficial results only when it's positive. This type of feedback is not always recommended because it can often be perceived as too personal;
- Prescriptive feedback is a form of advice in which the recipient tells the sender how to correct their way of working. Although this type of feedback can be helpful in the early stages, such as training or onboarding, it can also be a way to avoid giving constructive feedback on the individual's work;
- Descriptive feedback - as the name implies, this type of feedback is used to describe the effects of an individual's action, which leads to the presentation of a relevant opinion. Descriptive feedback is considered the best form of evaluation in the workplace and other fields, such as education and science. To be motivated, especially when working for someone else, team members need to feel appreciated, even when improvements need to be made. A proven way to provide good feedback is by combining the necessary recommendations with the quality of their work to conclude positively about the evaluated person.
Importance of feedback in communication
Feedback is a tool that can help people evaluate themselves and their work and also how others perceive them. While employees and students need to receive feedback, it's also essential for leaders who believe in growth to ask for an evaluation, give an example, and be an inspiration for them.
Most team members appreciate honest evaluation - approximately 70% of employees said they would work harder if their managers better appreciated their efforts.
Professional feedback will increase communication effects, whether you are a manager, team member, student, or colleague. Therefore, in the feedback culture, evaluation should be used permanently, both professionally and personally.
Here are some of the reasons why feedback is essential in communication:
✅ Confirmation of understanding. In effective communication, people need to know that their message has been received and comprehended as intended. Without feedback, it's possible that the sender won't be aware that their communication has been misunderstood, which might cause confusion and blunders.
✅ Improves communication. Feedback helps increase communication by informing the sender of what went well and what didn't.
✅ Develops trust. Feedback delivered positively and encouragingly can aid in developing trust between the sender and recipient. Over time, this may result in closer ties and improved communication.
✅ Encourages positive behavior. Providing constructive feedback can motivate the recipient to continue engaging in positive behaviors.
✅ Identifies areas for improvement. Negative feedback can be used to identify areas for improvement. However, when given constructively and with the intention of helping the recipient learn and grow, this can lead to considerable changes in the caliber of communication.
Why is feedback important to the communication process in the workplace
The power of good feedback comes from the fact that it can change certain behaviors and allows the other person to receive a realistic perspective on his action. Therefore, feedback is constructive only when it focuses on an individual's work and actions.
For example, if you are a manager and want an employer to know what you think about a particular project, highlight the issues based on those tasks and nothing more. In other words, the feedback must be descriptive, not evaluative!
Feedback is essential in the workplace because:
It motivates and engages people
Recent research on work productivity showed that four in ten employees do not involve as much in the company's goals when not given regular feedback (source). The same study concluded that 43% of highly engaged employees receive feedback at least once a week compared to only 18% of employees with low engagement.
So, managers must ensure that their team members will be evaluated correctly and regularly. This way, people feel valued and more motivated to do a good job.
It lowers employee turnover
While giving and receiving feedback is not always comfortable, research shows that employees expect to receive feedback from their managers and peers. According to a recent study, companies that regularly solicit employee feedback experience a 14.9% reduction in employee turnover.
So, as a people leader, make things straightforward and provide ongoing, real-time feedback to your people if you want to keep them longer.
It improves efficiency
Feedback is not advice or criticism; sometimes, it can be interpreted as negative if it's not formulated properly. So, it's crucial to explain the importance of feedback in the communication process to the team members, so they can always be open to receiving it positively.
If consistent, descriptive feedback can help individuals work on their mistakes and find ways to be more efficient and productive.
It encourages active listening
Feedback sessions are just as crucial as transparent communication between team members. The participants must be honest and pay attention to the information they are getting. It's better to receive and offer face-to-face feedback because it allows the individual to ask questions where ideas need more details or clarifications.
Build a culture of feedback with Mirro
The value of feedback is undeniable, especially when it comes to efficient communication in the workplace. When feedback is objective, anchored in a clear context, and justified, the parties involved have the chance to learn more about each other's degree of communication, needs, and requirements.
When used properly, feedback can help people grow, improve, and see themselves in a different light, but it can also be a tool for companies to drive business growth and reach their goals.
With Mirro, you can motivate your colleagues and team members by creating a feedback culture with advanced performance management software that is incredibly easy to use!
Say goodbye to the rigidity of formal feedback sessions. Instead, our platform helps you effortlessly share and request feedback from colleagues, collaborators, and external people. Nobody will postpone giving feedback, as Mirro's request form is straightforward to fill in.
Contact our team of culture specialists and choose the right plan for you!
