Principles of Feedback | Guidelines of Feedback

Feedback is the response of receiver concerning the message the received. It is an essential element of two-way communication. Feedback can be favorable or unfavorable. Whatever may be the feedback, it should follow some guidelines or principles. The followings are the prime principles or guidelines of making feedback effective:

1. Specific: The receiver should convey his response specifically. Specific response helps the sender to understand receiver’s attitude towards the message.
2. Descriptive: To make the feedback clear and worthwhile to the sender, it should be descriptive in nature. In feedback, the receiver should maintain logical sequence of message he received and incorporate his opinion in details.
3. Clarity: Clarity is an important principle of both effective communication and effective feedback. Principle of clarity requires that feedback should be free from ambiguity and exaggeration. Clarity comes from attentive listening and careful interpretation of message.
4. Promptness: Feedback should be delivered without unnecessary delay. Delay in feedback destroys its utility. Promptness depends on the nature of communication. In face-to-face communication, feedback is instant while written communication may allow a time lag in feedback.
5. Completeness: Feedback is effective when it is complete. Completeness of feedback means it should answer all the queries of the sender.
6. Solicited: Feedback must be spontaneous. This principle is attained when the receiver willingly responds to the sender’s message.
7. Informality: Efficacy of feedback also depends on the use for informal channel along with formal channels. If there is any informal channel for providing feedback, employees come forward to show their reaction spontaneously.
8. Relevance: Principle of relevance requires that feedback should be relevant and consistent to the content of the message received. Relevant feedback can only help the sender to understand receiver’s reaction. Irrelevant feedback may irritate the sender and hamper the objective of communication.

These are the well-established rules or principles of feedback. By following these principles, one can ensure the effectiveness of feedback.