Sending and receiving feedback is one of the most important aspects of effective communication. When feedback is shared clearly and understood accurately, it creates stronger relationships, reduces misunderstandings, and helps people work and learn together more effectively.
One helpful way to understand this process is through a framework called the Four Levels of Communication. This model helps visualise how messages move from being sent, to being received, to being truly understood and shared.
The Four Levels of Communication
Level 1: Sending the Message
This is where communication begins. You express your thoughts, feelings, or feedback in words, actions, or written form. At this stage, the focus is on clearly stating what you want to say.
Level 2: The Message Is Received
Here, the other person hears or reads your message. This does not automatically mean they have understood it, only that it has reached them.
Level 3: Knowing the Message Has Been Received
At this level, you check that the other person has understood what you meant. This can involve asking them to reflect back what they heard, or noticing their response to see if it aligns with your intention.
This is the stage where understanding and interpretation become important.
Level 4: Communicating Shared Understanding
This final level closes the loop. Both people acknowledge that the message has been understood and that there is shared meaning.
This might look like agreeing on next steps, summarising what was discussed, or confirming what will happen as a result of the feedback.
Why Closing the Loop Matters
Closing the feedback loop creates shared information. This means both people know not only what was said, but that the other person understands it in the same way.
In simple terms, we both know that we both know.
This shared understanding is essential for reducing miscommunication, building trust, and making feedback a positive and productive part of any relationship, whether in learning, work, or everyday life.
