The main aim for this blog is to acquire you with tips on receiving and asking for feedback and also the importance of feedback in a workplace and what you can really benefit from regular feedback.
Asking for feedback is integral to cultivating a growth mindset and being self-reliant, traits that managers want in all their employees, regardless of role or level.
Regular Feedback in a workplace is crucial for several reasons, this is because;
- It enhances performance and productivity
- Builds trust and relationships
- Fosters engagement and motivation (positive feedback)
- Encourages continuous improvement (kept on track)
- Aligns expectations and goals (clear understanding, what needs to be done)
These are just 5 of many reasons as to why feedback is essential in a workplace. However, asking for feedback can be difficult sometimes. Here are 5 tips to make asking for feedback not seem so awkward or difficult:
- Set up frequent scheduled one-to-one meetings to dedicated to discussing feedback at the right time and places.
- Be open and receptive, show you are open to constructive criticism and eager to develop from the feedback given.
- Reflect and prepare, prepare before asking for feedback, reflect on your self and see what you think you need to improve on its not a surprise when feedback is received.
- Clarify expectations with a manager or head of department to ensure its clear of what needs to be achieved, could request structures or examples as an end goal to follow.
- Explain the main purpose, make it clear to your feedbacker what you want feedback on so you can develop and reach the end of year target.
In a Harvard business review, research shows that the best approach to ensure you get feedback often, is to initiate quarterly check-ins with your manager that is focused on getting formal feedback about your role and responsibilities. This is a good way to avoid unpleasant Suprises once your annual performance review comes around. Mandatory quarterly check-ins are good as a safety barrier so you know where you’re up to as a lot can happen in a year and without feedback throughout you could be on a decline without realizing. Therefore, it’s suggested to try and have monthly feedback to reflect on how the month went and if you are on track or falling behind, this is to ensure by the time you get to the quarterly check in you know how well things have gone or if they have gone in the opposite direction.
On our linked in profile, we set up a poll aimed at our followers to ask them how often they ask for feedback. Results showed:
This poll showed clear results that the majority ask for feedback monthly, this is great as it awards these employees with new skills and information from the feedback they’ve received, they are also up to date on how well they are doing as an employee.
We strongly encourage people to ask for feedback whether it’s from colleagues, clients or mainly from your boss as it will give you an idea of what needs to be improved from a different perspective. This will benefit you in many ways and you ill know what your doing right and what’s going wrong.