Part Two: Asking For Feedback

How do you ask for feedback? 

If you have a good relationship with your boss and are comfortable being direct, try saying something like, “Theresa, I am working on several projects that I know are critical to you and the company, and I want to do a good job. The WFH dynamic makes receiving feedback even more important. I’d like to hear your thoughts on what you feel I am doing well and where I need improvement.” 

That’s it – short and to the point. Notice that there is a benefit here for your boss and the company. It would be hard for even the busiest manager to pass on sharing feedback when you ask like this.

Let’s look at another scenario. What if you are an introvert, or if you don’t have a good relationship with your boss, or maybe it’s awkward? We’ve all been there. In this case, write out the words you would use and practice in a mirror until you are comfortable. And if you can’t get comfortable or can’t secure a virtual face-to-face with your boss, then sending an email is always an option. Again, make it short and direct. Ultimately, your goal is to ask for a conversation about your performance in a way that benefits your boss and feels frictionless. Tomorrow, I’ll write about receiving feedback.

KimMartinTheCoach.com