It’s Actually Okay to Ask for Feedback
It’s your second week on the job, and you just dove in to your first big project. Everything seems to be going well and you’ve already gotten quite a bit accomplished, but you just ran into a small question about something. Should you go check in with your manager for feedback, or just keep going?
Our advice? Yes, always go check with your manager for feedback even though it can seem a bit daunting. Many think asking for feedback is a sign of inexperience or lack of knowledge when it actually shows a willingness to collaborate and learn, and a high level of humility and self-awareness.
Whether you’re a seasoned vet or just starting out your career, asking for feedback can make anyone anxious. Here are just a few reasons asking for feedback is beneficial rather than detrimental:
It shows you care – Checking in to ask for feedback or find out how you’re doing shows you care about your job and company. It shows that you care about continually improving and learning in order to be successful both as a team and individually.
It saves time – Whether you’re working on a big project or daily tasks, asking for feedback on a regular basis ensures you’re moving in the right direction. It actually saves time by verifying along the way that you’re providing what the company envisions instead of having to start over because of an unknown misunderstanding.
It fosters better collaboration and teamwork – It’s highly likely you’ll be working as part of a team, regardless of the hierarchy or size. Asking for feedback early and often paves the way for open communication, and open communication is key for the success of any team.
It makes you better – Regardless of the feedback being positive or negative, it only makes you better at what you do. No one knows everything, but it’s to your advantage to use your peers’ and managers’ experiences to improve yourself. There’s no need to make the same mistakes they already made, or to take the long route if they already discovered a shortcut.
In almost every scenario, any feedback you receive is meant to help you grow and succeed. Even if the feedback is negative, realize that it isn’t malicious and instead stems from a desire to help, so use it in a positive manner to learn and improve. Don’t let fear keep you from thriving and advancing in your career. Initiate the conversation and show your employer you are ready to take on anything given to you.