Know the shortest path to succeeding in your job?

by Eric Shannon on July 29, 2011

What I crave in my role as a boss, is to feel that my team can complete my sentences. That they follow me like my shadow. That doesn’t mean they should always agree with me – but understand what I’m talking about, where I’m coming from and why — yes!

What’s the next best thing to seamless teamwork? And how do I know when someone who just joined our team is going to work out well? That’s when I’m asked frequently for feedback. This is best when done casually as part of our workflow and especially near the start of new projects or responsibilities.

For example:

BAD: “Eric, can we schedule a time to talk about my job performance?”

GREAT: “Eric, how do you like what I’m doing? Is this what you had in mind? Any ideas for improvement?”

(by e-mail, IM, tel or VM, all great)

If you need to schedule time to ask for feedback, then you probably are not in the habit of asking and you’ve created a situation where your request may be perceived as an annoyance and the meeting itself a source of tension. Why?

If you are not in the habit of asking for frequent feedback, the meeting you requested comes too late. Too late to make changes to work that has already been done. If you haven’t asked me for feedback in nine months, I’ll assume that you are fearful and unreceptive. Or, I may assume your interest level and commitment to the job are just average.

Whatever the reasons are, a lack of steady communication about performance, will eventually create tension between you and your boss. Of course, if you aren’t asking for feedback because I’m already giving you a steady stream of positive feedback, that’s understandable – we’ll probably have a good meeting if you insist.

Should the boss ask for feedback from the team also? Yes! While you’re waiting for the boss to ask you for feedback, here’s a checklist.

Ask for feedback:

frequently & informally
when starting new projects or responsibilities
during or after a job interview
with your own continuous improvement in mind
to calibrate your efforts to current priorities & avoid wasting company resources
to enhance your productivity and value to the company
to evaluate and enhance your job security
to stand out from the pack
to dissipate tension and enjoy a better relationship with your boss
to create more opportunities for discussing job fit with your boss

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Paulina ALmada

It is very important to always ask for feedback, because that way, we can improve our abilities.
CarsenP

I believe it is a great idea to ask for feedback on the job. It exhibits one’s want to do a task correctly, one’s effort to do it to the best of his or her ability, and establishes a better relationship with his or her boss. I worked at a country club in the pool area and recently switched over to being a server for banquets. As a server, we must also set all of the place settings, salt, pepper, sugar, and center pieces for each table, paying attention to every small detail (including placing the handle of each coffee cup in the 5:00 direction on each saucer). Since I had recently switched over to being a server, I asked my supervisor for feedback after setting a table. They saw the effort I was trying to make and appreciated me asking for help to make sure it was done correctly.
Maratara123

I found out the hard way that asking for feedback can prove invaluable. I did an internship at a graphic design company and found out that if I asked for feedback and insight while I was still working on a particular problem, my bosses and coworkers were more likely to appreciate and offer more valuable modifications to my work. It was much more efficient to change my work while I was still in the middle of it rather than at the end of the project. The best way to ask for this feedback is to approach them casually, but personally. In regards to my internship, it was easiest for me to ask my coworkers in person when I passed them in the hallways or on the way to the printer. Of course, asking those around you for feedback on performance or projects usually means those people will be more inclined to help you when real problems arise, and they will generally be quicker to point out different ways of improving your performance.
paige651

I definitley believe in asking for feedback. I think this is especially important in a work environment. Workers can learn a lot and grow from the opinions of their fellow co-workers. I think asking for feedback helps develop a cohesive and successful work environment where employees get the opportunity to further their skills and talents. Asking for feedback while working in a previous retail job proved to be invaluable to me. I was responsible for most of the window displays and I found that by asking for feedback from many fellow co-workers we were able to create window displays that were appealing and attracted many customers into the store. I also found that asking for feedback gave a big sense of camaraderie between myself and my fellow co-workers. Everyone chipped in and gave their opinions on what would look best and the final result was something that we could all say we were proud of.
Maria_13

I believe that asking for feedback in anything you do is extremely important. Although these tips are given for a work environment, they come in handy at school, when volunteering, and in many unexpected situations of your everyday life. When you ask for feedback informally it helps you make changes immediately and it tells your boss or supervisor that you care enough about your job and about them to do the best you possibly can. If you don’t ask for feedback, it can appear as if you don’t care enough about the job or you are too inexperienced to acknowledge that someone might be able to help point you in a direction that will increase your work quality. Even while working at a fast-food restaurant I learned how important it is to ask for feedback and to give objective feedback when it is asked of you. When you ask for feedback you learn about your coworkers, your boss, and yourself as you attempt to make improve your work ethic and work quality no matter what it is you are doing.
Small_jessica

Getting feedback is very important because it lets you know what you are doing a good job in and what you need to work on. When I work I ask for feedback a lot so I will know if I am doing a good job or if I need to work on something in paricular. Feedback dosen’t always have to be assciated with work tho, it could be used in any experience.
Susantdang

Getting feedback is a good thing. This is because when you are not sure what you are talking about, lost, or some what knowledgeable, you can obtain more information about it. Compare to not getting feedback, you are better off with getting feedback because you at least know what is going on and not being left out at all with details. It will also help you improve. I experience with not getting feedback before, and it didn’t go so well. At the time I wish I had gotten feedback, so always try to get feedback because it will help you!
Laceyk0481

During my clinical experience at long-term care my clinical instructor expected a lot out of us and was straight forward. At the end of our 6 weeks there she had a one on one evaluation with us. She gave us feedback on things that we did great and things we could do better. The best part of all was that she wanted feedback too. She was open to letting us tell her what she did great and could have done better. It was a great way of having open communication that will help us and our instructor for our next semester.
rr359

One of the greatest obstacles to preventing teams from functioning cohesively is a simple lack of communication. In any team I have worked with, whether or not I choose its respective members, everyone needs to understand each other’s perspectives, problems, and strengths in order to tackle the original problem. As an aspiring musician I have learned that feedback is not only helpful, but also downright essential to the creative process. By encouraging from the get-go that my bandmates execute “fearless feedback” (tactfully, of course), we consistently are able to get the best performances out of every individual. With all of us throwing pride and arrogance to the wind, we can all benefit and create something that truly is worth bragging about.
ROSY

Never assume that you are the only one in the universe. Although
this might seem redundant and obvious to many, this statement often doesn’t manifest
itself in that manner. Many people go about their
everyday lives, sometimes forgetting that other people exist and that we all
come from different corners of the world. When we abstain from getting feedback from others,
we are in fact, placing ourselves in the center of the universe. There have
been many instances in my life were I do not realize it immediately and I
forgot to ask the people around me what they think about a particular issue. I
realize that people come from different backgrounds and hold different responsibilities
and yet I still forget sometimes to ask for feedback. For instance, when I was
part of my high school’s volleyball team, I would make team charts of plays we
could perform on future volleyball games. The problem was that I would impose
these plays on my team members since I did not allow them to give their input.
Although I did not realize it at the moment, It was a very selfish thing for me
to do. I learned from this experience and now I always place myself away from
the center and alongside the rest of the people.
Brown_holly1

Some people do not know how to take constructive criticism. While being a server for six years I learned that once you leave one line of work for another, as an employee of a new boss it is necessary to learn what is being done wrong. As a legal assistant, I am expected to be precise and thorough.When I first took on this job I was unaware of the fact that I did not handle constructive criticism. Therefore, it is essential to learn that all your boss is trying to do is better the job that you are doing. I now yearn for feedback and criticism because if I am unaware as to what I am doing wrong there is no way to fix my mistakes.
Christinawinters10

When ecepting criticism from your boss it is important to not take it to heart. You should take it, and apply it to help improve your work ethics in the buiness world.
Msvicks1

My father has always told me that the only stupid question is the one that is never asked. I have carried that with me my entire life, even into the workplace. This has helped me to communicate effectively with my employers. They are always aware when I am unaware of things and because I am open with them about my skill level, they trust me with more responsibility and often request my feedback when implementing new procedures. Questions open the forum and produce new ideas which can propel any company forward into a successful future.
Misskelsey06

I always ask for feedback from my manager. Especially if it is something that i may have been struggling with! It is very important to me, because it will help me to continue to stay on the right track! Updates on your work performance is always good, instead of just waiting until a one on one with your manager.
Tml5147

I improved and grew drastically over the course of my job. I gained confidence, skills, and knowledge to succeed in ways that I didn’t think possible. This was a direct result of the amount of feedback and advice for improvement that I asked not only from my manager, but also my mentors and team as well. The valuable feedback they provided to me daily was not always rewarding, but it provided me with the strength and knowledge to work harder on my weaknesses and strive to ultimately impact the company in a positive way.
Rishipaul

Their are several ways of asking your employer for feedback such as, give him or her every reason to give you positive feedback, asking them in a professional manner, thanking them, if they are new to your company or division help them out by sharing important information, and if your contract has ended, let them know they can still submit feedback about your work
LttlMissy060

I have always found that feedback is one of the best ways to improve upon your skills. I ask for feedback from my boss all the time, I feel that it helps me to see things from her point of view and helps me to work on my weak points.
StriveForSuccess

From my perception, asking and receiving feedback is critical in the way we comprehend and achieve daily tasks. Not just in the workforce but in any situation, asking and receiving feedback gives me the clarification I need to do things the right way. Even if I feel the question is stupid or not worth asking, I may not be the only one wondering and it could help others. I become a more efficient person and do my tasks much better when I have feedback to reference back on.
Nmartinez147

I Believe that people should definitly comunicate with their management to make sure everyone is on the same page. You dont want to give poor performance and not be aware of this. I think the key to success is to ask questions dont stay in the dark and uncertain about what is going on or what you are suppose to do. Dont be scared to double check your work!
Mlawrenc

I’ve read most of the articles and they are really good. I intend to refer to this pages for when i am looking of a co-op positions. i know that these will really help in make me better. I always looking to improve some way. some people these days have no humility and think they are perfect. i might need to show this to a few people. haha
Tcma773

I find that by asking for feedback, you are opening the door for improvement. In my own experience I worked for a restaurant, and I told my boss that I wanted to work my way up and ultimately be in charge of my own restaurant. By stating what I wanted to accomplish, I helped her to give me the feedback. She knew what I was hoping to gain, this helped her to open a discussion on any area that needed improvement. I was able to set small goals and eventually earned my way up to General Manager.
tangja

It is always important to ask for feedback and learn from your mistakes. For example, it was my first English paper and I did not receive a very good grade on it. The teacher barely made any comments and I was very confused on why I did not get a good grade. As a result, I set up a meeting with the teacher and sat there for hours going over my paper. In the end I decided to rewrite my paper hopefully improving it. I gave it back to my teacher but she still said it was better but still not an amazing paper. I kept going back to the paper and rewriting it until it was an acceptable paper. I knew my grade was final but I wanted to understand why. It is not the grade that matters but the reasoning behind everything. Eventually through the constant feedback and comments on my paper, I was able to write an acceptable paper. Using those comments I was ready to tackle my next paper and receive a good grade.
Julian Lopez

I believe it is critical to receive feedback in order to improve in any situation. For example, I recently wrote a compare-and-contrast essay for one of my college courses. My rough draft came back from my instructor with some feedback in areas I could improve in, but I wanted to have someone read my essay that would actually be part of the audience that my paper was written for. I had my wife read my essay and give me her feedback. I ended up re-arranging my whole essay based on the combined feedback I received from my instructor and my wife. This resulted in receiving an A on my paper, thanks to the improvements from the feedback.
Jillnadzam

Feedback is an integral piece to any project or routine in the workplace. As a manager, I continually seek feedback from my employees. A recent opportunity provided a chance for unplanned growth in the business. I saw this chance as a wonderful way to involve my employees. Routine meetings offered the chance for every person, including myself, to express thoughts and ideas. I structured the meetings so that every person understood that feedback was not only encouraged, but expected. A culture of trust was very important to this goal. I have found that when the leader not only seeks out the opionions of others, but implements them into the plan, people tend to let their guard down. In my experience, a humble and open leader enjoys a higher incidence of employee buy-in. No manager or director is equipped with all information. Being opne to the opinions and comments of others increases the chances of success. Persons in leadership roles shoud discipline themselves to routinely seek out feedback from emeployees ate every level. Never dicount the ideas fo others. Stay open and approachable on all fronts.
Dragonfly_583

I would ask for feedback from my boss if I was not already receiving it from them. Knowing the kind of job you are doing allows you to better serve the people you are working for. If I am doing a bad job at whatever work field I am in I expect to get some kind of feedback so I can better my work production. Feedbakc is important on the job, it makes for a better work environment because the work team has commmunication.
Sighnershan

I just started a new job in Human Resources and I have had to ask for feedback a lot lately. I have asked for feedback from numerous people. The people working around me who know what they are doing and from my supervisor. The best feedback I have recieved is from my direct supervisor. I agree with not having to schedule time. I got the most honest opinion from her when I asked out of the blue. I let her know right away that I wanted to be the best in my field and will do anything it took to get there. Becuase it was in an informal situation, neither of us felt threatened. Being in human resources there is a lot that could go wrong. And that wouldn’t just affect me. I used every bit of feedback I got and now I am at the top of my game.
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TamiJane

I just recently started with a new company and feedback has been critical to my transition. i am in the same industry so I came in needing little training which made me a little nervous when I was put on my own. The feedback helped ensure me and point out ways that I could improve which was both beneficial to me and to my boss.
http://www.facebook.com/breck.nicole Breck Nicole

In my position knowing where your job progress is at is imperative to your success. This is simply because processes are always changing and evolving to keep up with the market and it’s demand. I constantly seek peer and superior guidance so that I too may continue to evaluate my work methods.
I feel it is important to not ‘stick’ with one method of approach, as this can lead to stagnant position at work, and an employee then is no longer cutting edge, or keeping up with change. It is important to embrace change within your company as well as yourself. Individuals should attain, retain, and maintain, new methods constantly. This makes for a streamlined and efficient workplace and ensure individual growth as well.
http://www.facebook.com/shannon.thomas.75685 Shannon Thomas

I definitely experienced this through interning in my Congressman’s office. Much of the work I was doing, even as an intern, needed to be done flawlessly for the Congressman’s agenda to flow smoothly. Asking frequent questions assured that I did not make errors that jeopardized the office, made my work stand out among the rest of the interns, and got me promoted to a higher post once it was clear that I could succeed at the tasks I was assigned.
- http://www.internetinc.com/ Eric Shannon
  
  Bravo Shannon!
CsBetancis

This is something I think about on a consistent basis. Especially having just recently started my first internship. I strive to perform to the best of my ability but I never know if it enough or if my boss is happy with my performance. He does not say much about any of his employees performances besides the occasional “thank you, I appreciate it”. I consistently ask questions about the task at hand so that I am sure not to make a mistake but once finished I am nervous to ask for an evaluation of said task. I always felt that it was somewhat inappropate to do so. After reading this it is comforting to know that it is in fact in my best interest to do so. This is something I will feel much more confident doing now. Thank you.
Antonio Harris

While I think these are very effective methods, I been in a place where the boss wants it his or her way and with doing so not managing very effective the team in general. So then heavy load of work falls down to the assistant managers and onto the employee’s. It seems that it has to be his way or hit the highway. Apparently his way is not the way corporate wants so there is tension in the work environment and it shouldn’t be like that. Sure everyone must play there part and doing what their job entails but when you have the store manager not even wanting or taking feedback then there lies a problem. I enjoy working in any environment that I choose, if I am not happy with something there is no need to keep dragging it is just the team morale that suffers a lot. I would have to agree with the key points of this article.
nikialane

I ask my boss questions all the time, such as “is this what you need from me, am i benefiting you by doing it this way, do you need anything else from me”. I feel like we communicate so well and i enjoy my job that much more because we are always on the same level.
Kamala Glenn

This reminds me of my very first job. I had just graduated from my first degree program and landed the dream job as an entry level forensic officer. The job demanded precision and adherence to standards that, to me, were new and daunting. I ensured that each time I processed a sample I recorded every thing that could possibly be recorded and checked with my supervisor each time. The other interns thought I was over the top but within six months I got promoted to junior DNA analyst and I was the only one in that department who had only an undergraduate degree.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=5139431 Liz Tart

I really connected with the truthfulness of this article. At age 16 I started my first job at a small local pet store run by two middle aged gentleman who prided themselves on a business based on customer service, a knowledgable staff, and a well kept store. We were encouraged to focus on these key points on a daily basis. What I quickly realized was that the best way to emphasize these factors and stand out from the other employees was to efficiently focus on each task that I was given, as well as ask for other tasks and feedback. Along the way my customer service skills improved, my knowledge of all things pet related grew, and my ability to dust and stock items quickly and neatly had set me apart from the rest. All this was accomplished by asking questions and listening and applying feedback. In the end this initiative payed off. After leaving for college I returned to home for winter break and was asked to work for a few weeks at the pet store as a cashier with the hourly pay grade of the store’s manager.
Ana Guerra

As I progress through my undergraduate career, I’ve been realizing how incredibly helpful it is to ask questions and how silly it is to stay seated guessing what the answers might be. It becomes serious when it affects the quality of your work. Not only does asking questions show that you’re interested, it also shows that you’re trying.

As an art major, I will have to go through many critiques. It can be a stressful experience and a humbling one. One of my professors, who gave a critique last semester, was just as excited as I was with the finished product of one of my paintings It is good (and encouraging) to remember that my professor is there to assist me in improving. In the future, I know my boss would like me to succeed. I have very much to learn, asking questions is key.
Cydni Nicole

This is definitely something that everyone should know and utilize in any job or position.

I have always been a perfectionist and for whatever reason have always worked hard to avoid disappointing anyone (I’d much rather impress). I started my first job at the age of 14 and I’ll never forget how nervous I was. I asked question after question concerning what I was told to do prompting my boss to not only tell me what to do it, but how I should do it. Eager to learn and determined to do my best, I never asked the same question twice and in no time at all I had gained more respect and confidence in my position.

Thirteen years later, I find myself encouraging new co-workers to ask for guidance or advice as often as they’d like. I enjoy my job as top server and trainer, and I am confident that my tell me everything I need to know so I can be flawless at what I do attitude has gotten me where I am now. I have not always been the most liked co-worker, but over time I realized that the ones who disliked me where the ones who didn’t have it in them to work as hard as me because I certainly set the bar high. I also realize that my work ethics and attitude has helped weave out the workers that lacked the desire or ability to keep up. I’m considered a valuable asset to my employer because I motivate everyone to do their best which results in great business and great service. I am more than anxious to see how far I can go and what can be accomplished with the Associates in Management that I’ve completed and the Bachelor’s in Accounting that I’m working on!!
The idea and concept behind this website is amazing, and I will certainly book mark it so I can spread the word and reflect more on it in the future! Thanks!
http://www.facebook.com/shelly.marie.963 Shelly Marie

I am a go getter but I worry if I am going to do the job good enough or even fit in with others. This is a great article to guide me in the right direction for my future work experiances with others. Playing softball in College, team work is very important. I feel that I will take that to my work experiance with me. Thank you for the knowladge to approch my boss or even my co workers.
Julia Fee

Questions are an absolute essential part of the learning process. Without feedback, you’re moving through assignments and projects with blinders on. You can see the general guidelines but it’s difficult to see the full picture.

At work, in field experience, and in college I am regularly checking to be sure that I am doing the job correctly. This routine shows the people I’m working with that I am engaged and striving for excellence. It also helps me relax knowing that I am following steps properly. The worst feeling is getting to the last step of a project and realizing that you have done something wrong.

I’m very glad there is literature on this out there. More people need to move past their fear of sounding dumb and start asking for feedback and guidance. If everyone was more aware of the tasks they are being asked to perform, work productivity and quality of work would rise.
Lessons Learned

This reminds me of my previous boss after I had my child. He wouldn’t hire me before I had my baby but with steady communication, I was hired after 6 weeks. While working with him, he taught me that communication is the key to having a successful business and having an understanding amongst employees. It was great working for him and we all knew what was expected. Having an open-minded boss also played a key to how successful each one of us were. He listened to all feedback from employees, customers and other vendors and delegated duties based on our capabilities including promoting if we took initiative.
answanberg

I had some trouble with this during my last job. I avoided asking how my boss thought I was doing because I thought it would make me appear insecure and unsure of my job performance. After a few months, I discovered that my boss did think that I was doing my job well but actually pointed out that I shouldn’t avoid asking questions about my job performance. Eventually, I did build a strong working relationship with my boss- strong enough that he called me after I had moved to beg me to come back to work for him again. Instead, he sent me a letter of recommendation to use for future jobs and wished me well.
trey

the only way we can succeed in this economy today is by becoming an asset that way no matter the circumstances you would be too valuable to be replaced.

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