Do you want a successful career? I assume you do! In which case it’s essential that you learn how to ask for Feedback from your manager.

Why? Because in so many ways it’s your manager that holds the keys to your success at work!

The benefits of asking for feedback

Here are the 3 main benefits of asking for feedback.

1. Strengthen your working relationship

The relationship with your manager is always the most important in your working life. You’ll have coworkers (you may already be requesting feedback from coworkers), you may manage a team, or have other internal stakeholders, or external customers. All of these are important and require investment, but it’s the relationship with your manager which is most important to your success.

Your manager knows they should be giving employee feedback: but they’re short of time, they find it stressful, and they themselves aren’t supported to provide feedback to you. Make it easy for them to give you feedback. You’ll build a stronger and closer working relationship which will serve you well.

2. Learn to improve in your current role

The feedback you receive will help you improve your performance in your current role. You can achieve this in two ways.

First, by asking for feedback on specific skills. This allows you to focus in on specific development opportunities.

Second, by asking for general performance advice. This approach gives your manager permission to ‘go wide’ and raise any topics that they feel will be of help to you.

4. Be prepared for future roles

Finally, asking for feedback from your manager is a great way to help you prepare for future roles. Whatever your level in the organization it’s difficult to anticipate and prepare for success at the levels above you. Your manager can help you.

Learning how to ask for feedback from your manager regarding future roles has several benefits:

• You are signaling your interest in moving your career forward
• When the opportunity arises, you’ll be better prepared
• And finally, will already be in the ‘shop window’ for consideration

Of course, don’t do this as soon as you move into a new role. Start to have these ‘future role’ conversations at the time you feel right for your career progression.

4 things to do before you ask for feedback

Before you ask for feedback you need to be prepared.

1. Reflect on previous conversations with your manager

What have you already heard from your manager about your performance? Perhaps there’s feedback that you have already received? Or previous performance conversations you need to consider?

Make sure these are front-of-mind, you may need to refer to them as you request feedback. Why? Because everyone likes to know that they have been listened to, especially your manager.

2. Review your current goals and job description

It helps to be clear about which skills and capabilities are a required part of your role and how they will help you achieve your current goals. This is important context to your requests for feedback.

For example:

I know that leading sales discussions with C-level customers is part of my role, I’d appreciate your feedback on how to continue to improve in this area.

It just makes you look smart to tie your request for feedback to your job description.

3. Decide what you want feedback on

Keep in mind that to give effective feedback your manager must have observed your behavior. This will automatically limit the topics that you can get feedback on.

Be prepared to answer the following questions:

• What do you want feedback on and why?
• How does this fit within your overall development plan?

A good manager will ask you these questions as part of your discussions, it’s best to be prepared!

4. Connect to your company’s culture, values and strategy

Take a little time to reflect on your company’s culture, values and business strategy. In discussions with your manager you will look particularly competent if you can make connections between your performance, your development needs, the role and the company.

For example:

I know that process innovation is a key part of our company strategy, I’d like to get your feedback on the plans that I’m developing.

Again, it makes you look smart if you can tie back your development to the company’s strategic direction.

How to ask for feedback from your manager

First, ask permission

If you’ve rarely received any feedback from your manager, then ask them if it’s OK. Find the appropriate opportunity and ask:

I’d really appreciate if I could get your feedback on my performance. I want to improve, and I know your feedback will help me do that.

Make it clear that you have specific skill areas that you’d like feedback on, as well as being open to their suggests regarding development focus.

I have some specific topics that I’d like your feedback on, that relate to my development plan, and I’m also open to hear your suggestions too. Is that OK?

Tell them in advance what you want feedback on

You’ll get much better-quality feedback if you can tell your manager in advance that you want the feedback. It also shows good planning and helps your manager.

This upcoming meeting is a big opportunity for me, it’s the first time I’ve pitched a proposal to a customer. I’d really appreciate your feedback after the meeting, can you please keep an eye one thing I did well, and one thing that I could improve? I’ll schedule a little time with you after the meeting to discuss. Is that OK?

Or perhaps there are specific areas of feedback that you’d like to focus on:

I’m excited about this upcoming presentation. I know there are going to be plenty of questions from the audience. I know that answering questions is a skill that I need to develop, can you please keep in mind anything that I should improve on?

Schedule time for the feedback

Don’t put your manager on the spot or expect them to come up with feedback at a moment’s notice. After you’ve asked for feedback, schedule some time with them. This doesn’t need to be a long time, maybe just 15-20 mins.

Take the feedback, ask any questions needed to clarify the feedback, and thank them. Don’t get defensive, don’t feel that you must justify yourself or your actions. That is not a helpful part of the process.

Make sure your follow through

Asking for feedback from your manager should not be a one-off activity. It should be baked-in to your working relationship.

To make this happen, make sure you:

• Take action as a result of the feedback
• Reflection on the results of your actions
• Close the loop with your manager: tell them what you did, what was the result, what you learnt, and what you will continue to do in the future
• Thank them for the support

In summary: how to ask for feedback from your manager

There are 4 things to do before you ask for feedback:

1. Reflect on previous conversations with your manager
2. Review your current goals and job description
3. Decide what you want feedback on
4. Connect your thoughts to your company’s culture and values

All this preparation will help you look smart, get the feedback you need and build your relationship with your manager.

When asking for feedback from your manager:

1. First, ask permission
2. Tell them in advance what you want feedback on
3. Schedule time for the feedback
4. Make sure you follow through

And as you progress, remember that in times of change, success is not just about learning. You will need to learn, unlearn and relearn to be successful.