Getting valuable feedback can help to build your self− confidence in a demanding work environment. What does it take to be confident?

Here are five ways to get helpful feedback to tune you up for success.

Ask for honest feedback in a friendly way

Not many people take honest feedback kindly, and people around you are aware of this. Most people feel it is better to keep their opinion to themselves than poke the beehive for God knows how many stings they will get. But usually, lack of self− confidence and fear of the unknown make people not want to receive honest feedback from colleagues and individuals around them. To get honest feedback, you need to summon up the courage and ask for it but, when doing that, make it less formal; be friendly when asking.

Admit you are not perfect and ask what you can do for the future

Career progression, admittedly, is an important part of our work life, and it is more about what happens in the future than now. However, you will not be able to create your future without acting now.

When asking for feedback, explain why it would be helpful to you if they could tell you what you can do better going forward and that you appreciate them being honest with you and taking the time to share their genuine feeling.

Ask again until they are open to share, but don’t be pushy

The work environment can be sensitive, and everyone is careful not to take the wrong step. This job environment attitude might get in the way of getting helpful feedback. After you asked for honest feedback the first time, listen to it, act on it and don’t hesitate to ask again after a reasonable period of time.

Let people around you know they are welcome to give you their honest feedback without backlash. Show them more self− confidence and readiness to take in their real and friendly view of your activities and solutions.

If you have just given a presentation at a meeting, ask what you could have added to make your presentation better? Try to get a specific answer because, the more specific the feedback is, the easier it is for you to improve your presentation skills.

Call for anonymous feedback

If you are working in an environment where openly providing feedback is not a natural part of the ways of working, you can ask people to drop it anonymously, even as a note, or they can do it using any means possible to get to you. You can ask for an anonymous feedback face to face or in a meeting where the opinions of those who matter are all present.

Create a comfortable environment when listening to feedback

Prepare yourself to be able to listen to the information, learn as much as you can from it and, in the meantime, show that you are interested in hearing more.

Jot down the points when they are talking and don’t interrupt unless there are specific things you would like to see more clearly for the proper understanding of the feedback. You will experience that the person giving you the feedback will also feel more relaxed sharing their opinions with you.

Whatever position you are working in, receiving helpful feedback is a building block to your success, and you cannot afford to let it slip off your fingers. If you want to get positive feedback, check these 5 Ways how you can use relaxation and visualisation to help advance your career.