Feedback

When two people or entities communicate or attempt to, one way to determine their success can be summed up in one word: feedback. This terms speaks to the response one communicates to the original sender of a message letting them know their communique has been received. Often that feedback lets the sender know how well their message was understood. Without some level of feedback - verbal or non-verbal - the sender has little way of knowing how effective their effort to communicate was. It cues the sender as to what action, if any, they should take next: conclude their outreach, expand upon their initial message, or repeat it.


Feedback, like communication itself, can be simple or complex. It can consist of a nod or smile, on one end, or a lengthy response on the other. Either way, feedback often determines the duration of an interaction as well as its tone. Thus, the one providing the initial feedback - the receiver - exercises a great deal of power. The manner in which they respond to what has been communicated to them often triggers the behavior on the part of the message's sender. This reality points to what is often an overlooked fact: the receiver is just as important as the sender in any act of communication. Both are dependent upon each other for the message's success.


In judging a communication exchange, there is a tendency to blame or praise the sender for its effectiveness. While it is obvious the sender is a vital component, to downplay the sender's part is to demonstrate a lack of understanding of how communication works. (For example, a quarterback can make a perfect pass, but the wide receiver has to catch the ball, in order for it to be viewed a successful completion.) Both have to do their part. It is feedback that ultimately decides whether each did what they set out to do. It is also important to note that feedback does not and should be automatically construed as agreement. The initial goal of any communication effort is understanding. Agreement comes later.