You’re in a new insurance career. How can you get feedback from colleagues to succeed?

1 Ask for feedback regularly

One of the best ways to get feedback from colleagues is to ask for it. Don't wait for your annual performance review or a formal evaluation to find out how you are doing. Instead, seek out feedback from your peers, managers, mentors, and clients on a regular basis. You can ask for feedback after completing a project, closing a deal, handling a claim, or attending a training session. You can also request feedback on specific aspects of your work, such as your communication skills, your technical knowledge, or your customer service. Asking for feedback shows that you are eager to learn, open to criticism, and willing to improve.

2 Listen and respond to feedback

Another important tip on how to get feedback from colleagues is to listen and respond to it. When someone gives you feedback, don't interrupt, argue, or get defensive. Instead, listen carefully, ask questions, and thank them for their input. Try to understand their perspective, their expectations, and their suggestions. Then, reflect on the feedback and decide how you can use it to improve your performance. You can also follow up with the person who gave you feedback and let them know how you implemented their advice or what results you achieved. Listening and responding to feedback shows that you respect and appreciate your colleagues and that you are serious about your professional development.

3 Seek feedback from different sources

A third tip on how to get feedback from colleagues is to seek feedback from different sources. Don't rely on one or two people to give you feedback, as they may have a limited or biased view of your work. Instead, try to get feedback from a variety of colleagues who have different roles, experiences, and perspectives. For example, you can get feedback from your supervisor, who can evaluate your performance and guide your career path; from your co-workers, who can share their insights and best practices; from your mentors, who can offer their wisdom and support; and from your customers, who can provide their satisfaction and needs. Seeking feedback from different sources gives you a more comprehensive and balanced picture of your strengths and weaknesses.

4 Give feedback to others

A final tip on how to get feedback from colleagues is to give feedback to others. Feedback is a two-way street, and by giving feedback to your colleagues, you can build trust, rapport, and mutual respect. You can also learn from their experiences, challenges, and successes. When giving feedback to others, be specific, constructive, and timely. Focus on the facts, not the feelings. Provide positive feedback to recognize and reinforce good performance, and negative feedback to correct and prevent poor performance. Give feedback to others as you would like to receive it: with honesty, kindness, and professionalism.

Feedback is a powerful tool to help you grow and excel in your new insurance career. By following these tips, you can get feedback from colleagues that will help you improve your skills, achieve your goals, and avoid mistakes. You can also give feedback to others that will help you build relationships, share knowledge, and support your team.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?