Five tips for incorporating work feedback into your daily routine

The most effective individuals and companies share a common trait. They encourage frequent, honest feedback. The key to evolving beyond the dreaded periodic performance review, is to make workplace feedback more granular, recurring, and measurable. Here are some tips for leveraging professional feedback in order to improve the work you do.

1. Foster a feedback-friendly work environment. Tell your colleagues that you think an ongoing, open, honest, and informal peer review process is good for everyone. Don't be afraid to get the ball rolling without a formal process. Lead by example and start off by requesting feedback on a recent meeting, project, presentation or other current bit of work you have been involved with. Something specific and timely may be an easier starting point than than requesting a general work performance evaluation. Feedback should be exchanged frequently in all directions. When asking for feedback, focus on results and quality, not just on how hard you work or how nice you are.
2. Anonymity is your friend. When requesting feedback, try to share your request with as many people as is relevant to the question at hand. If possible, let people know that they are not the only one being asked, and allow them to respond anonymously. This helps people open up and underscores the non-threatening nature of the process. You are looking to gather unbiased constructive input, so do what you can to make people comfortable.
3. Be quick and proactive. If problems are exposed, don't let them fester, deal with them early. Don't complain about coworkers behind their backs. It is better to discuss concerns with them directly and get issues out in the open. Always try to resolve problems unofficially first. Only go to HR as a last resort, because then it becomes a matter of record.
4. Be honest with yourself. Get in the habit of doing regular self evaluations. You will often be your most honest and thorough critic. Taking the time to reflect on your work, a few times a week or month, is a lot easier than waiting every quarter or longer. No one is perfect, and your boss(es) will appreciate that you take the time to set the bar for yourself.
5. Analyze and learn. You can't manage what you don't measure. Repeat the process frequently, track the results. In reviewing your feedback over time, you will be able to spot strengths and weaknesses. You can keep an eye on trends, and set personal development goals more effectively. When you have greater insight into your abilities, you can present yourself with a confidence that gives you an edge.
   

'Tis the Season to Give & Receive (Feedback)

As 2009 draws to a close, it's important to look back and review the things that you and your colleagues have achieved. Reflecting on things that went well, or maybe not so well, can help you better understand how to make 2010 even better. If you're already sharing ongoing feedback with the people you work with - good for you! If not, make it a New Year's resolution that you will actively gather input in order to improve your career.

Give feedback to a colleague

Request feedback from the people you work with

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Share your feedback requests on LinkedIn

You told us we should do more mashing with other sites, and we heard you. You can now share your feedback requests with your network on LinkedIn, as well as Twitter.

To try it out, just create a new feedback request (be sure to keep the "Web" option checked), and then follow the instructions on the confirmation page. Have fun networking!



NOTE: This feature is also available for your previously-created feedback requests. Just login to your account and go to "Requests" in the Feedback drop-down menu. Click to view a particular request, and you will now see the new LinkedIn sharing option in the Details screen.