If You Want Feedback, It’s Your Responsibility

At a recent offsite, a young team member asked me for feedback on her performance. I could sense from her tone that she was uncomfortable because I hadn’t given her any feedback recently, unlike when she first joined the team.

I responded by telling her that if I had any feedback to give, I would have already done so. I reassured her that the lack of feedback meant everything was going well.

I deeply appreciated her initiative. Team members rarely take the lead in seeking feedback, and I found her proactive approach refreshing. Many people assume it’s the manager’s responsibility to provide feedback, but it’s not. It’s a shared responsibility, and her initiative was a clear demonstration of that.

While feedback is a valuable tool for tracking and course-correcting in your job, asking for input on your performance may feel awkward, especially at first. It’s natural to worry about appearing self-conscious or taking up more of your boss’s time but learning to request and accept feedback can be a key differentiator in your career.