The Secret to Encouraging Your Team to Ask for Feedback

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The most effective workplace feedback is feedback that’s requested, not given.

Gallup points out that we feel tense, defensive, and anxious when a colleague says, “Can I give you some feedback?” However, we are more receptive to another’s opinion when we request feedback (e.g. “Can you give me some feedback?”).

Building on the Gallup article, I’d argue that it’s not easy to get employees to get in the routine of asking for feedback. Asking for feedback can feel like asking for help. Any asking for help, for some, can be akin to admitting a personal flaw.

To overcome this, build and reinforce a culture of asking for feedback. And I’d argue one of the best ways to do so is to get your team in the habit of asking How questions.

Once your team gets in the habit of asking How questions like “How do you think I can get more comfortable presenting to executives?” or “How would you approach the issue?” they’ll feel more comfortable soliciting other people’s opinions.

And those on the receiving end of the How question would be happy to answer.

Why?

Everyone loves to provide their opinion. 😃

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