You're seeking feedback from colleagues in insurance. What's the best way to get it?

1 Define your purpose

Before you request feedback, be clear about what you want to learn and why. Do you want to improve your skills, knowledge, or behavior? Do you want to understand your strengths, weaknesses, or opportunities? Do you want to align your expectations with your manager, peers, or clients? Having a specific and relevant purpose will help you frame your feedback request and focus on the most important aspects of your work.

2 Choose the right sources

Not all feedback is equally useful and valid. You need to select the sources that can provide you with honest, accurate, and relevant feedback based on their experience and expertise. For example, you may want to ask your manager for feedback on your performance and goals, your peers for feedback on your collaboration and communication, and your clients for feedback on your service and value. Avoid asking people who have a personal or professional bias, who lack knowledge or skills, or who are not willing to share their opinions.

3 Use the right methods

Depending on your purpose and sources, you may use different methods to solicit feedback. For example, you may use a survey, a questionnaire, or a rating scale to collect quantitative feedback on specific criteria or indicators. You may use an interview, a conversation, or a meeting to collect qualitative feedback on open-ended questions or topics. You may use a formal, informal, or anonymous approach to create a comfortable and safe environment for feedback. Choose the methods that suit your needs and preferences, and that allow you to gather sufficient and reliable data.

4 Prepare your questions

The quality of your feedback depends largely on the quality of your questions. You need to prepare your questions in advance and make sure they are clear, specific, and relevant. Avoid vague, general, or leading questions that may confuse or influence your sources. Use open-ended questions that invite your sources to share their observations, insights, or suggestions. Use follow-up questions that probe deeper into the feedback and clarify any doubts or gaps. Use positive and respectful language that shows your interest and appreciation.

5 Listen and respond

Once you receive feedback, you need to listen and respond appropriately. Listen actively and attentively to what your sources are saying, and avoid interrupting, arguing, or defending yourself. Ask for clarification or examples if you don't understand something, and acknowledge any errors or mistakes you made. Thank your sources for their time and input, and express your gratitude and willingness to learn. Avoid taking feedback personally or emotionally, and focus on the facts and the actions you can take to improve.

6 Act on the feedback

The final and most important step is to act on the feedback you received. Review the feedback and identify the main themes, patterns, or messages. Analyze the feedback and evaluate its validity, relevance, and usefulness. Decide what actions you will take to address the feedback and improve your performance. Set realistic and measurable goals and track your progress. Seek additional feedback or support if needed. Share your results and achievements with your sources and show them how their feedback helped you grow and succeed.

7 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?