Constructive feedback is essential for getting better at your job, but a colleague may hesitate to give it if they’re worried about hurting your feelings. To ease their fear, try three strategies. First, introduce the conversation by giving yourself negative feedback. Say something like, “I know I tend to work quickly and sometimes overlook important details. Do you have thoughts on how I could improve?” By acknowledging the problem area, you take the pressure off your colleague to bring it up. You can also frame your request as a commitment you’d like their help with. Tell your colleague that you want to improve in a specific area — say, time management — and that you’d like their support in reaching the goal. A third strategy is to ask, “What is something you think I could learn from you?” This gives your colleague a chance to reflect on their talents and skills, which makes people feel good about themselves.
