Tips for leaders: Ask for feedback
A good leader needs input from his team. Yet it is not always easy to ask your team about this and to respond correctly to that feedback. This is how you go about it:
- Know who to ask for feedback from
The most valuable comments you can get come from the people you do not work with so easily. They will give their unvarnished opinion from which you can then draw valuable insights.
- Ask for feedback on one specific aspect
Do your team members sprinkle compliments? That is great, but it does not immediately help you grow as a leader. It can be difficult for your team to provide feedback if they are unsure which aspects of your leadership to assess correctly. Therefore, ask specific questions and avoid vague wording. "How can I delegate tasks better?" is a much clearer question than “What do you think of my leadership style?”. Be sure to continue asking afterwards so that you get a clear answer.
- Learn to deal with feedback