Gathering and Using Feedback Feedback can be either verbal or nonverbal.25 To gather
verbal feedback, the source can simply ask the destination pertinent message-related questions; the
destination’s answers should indicate whether the message was perceived as intended. To gather nonverbal feedback, the source can observe the destination’s nonverbal response to a message.26 Say a
manager has transmitted a message to a subordinate specifying new steps that must be taken in the
normal performance of the subordinate’s job.The subordinate’s failure to follow the steps accurately
constitutes nonverbal feedback telling the manager that the initial message needs to be clarified.
If managers discover their communication effectiveness is relatively low over an extended
period of time, they should assess the situation to determine how to improve their communication
skills. It may be that their vocabulary is confusing to their destinations. For example, a study conducted
by Group Attitudes Corporation found that when managers used certain words repeatedly
in communicating with steelworkers, the steelworkers usually became confused.27 Among the
words causing confusion were accrue, contemplate, designate, detriment, magnitude, and subsequently