I'm sure you ask your boss for feedback. And, I imagine you're checking in with your direct reports regularly on how you're doing. If you're like many managers we work with, you may be less inclined to ask your peers for their perspective.
Why? Let's face it, your peers are not always the friendliest source. In some companies, peers can feel more like “competitors” for resources, a position in the stack rank, or bonus funding. And it's just possible peers in other departments are the folks most ticking you off: the finance guy who doesn't see the value in funding your project; or the woman in IT who always has 10 reasons why what you want can't be done.
Four Ways to Get Helpful Feedback From Your Peers
Your peers see how you act under stress and behind closed doors in ways you might not show your boss or your team. Like the time I regretfully let the F-bomb fly at a peer (#NotRecommendedWinningWellBehavior).
Are you seen as a team player? Do you share resources or just look out for your own team and objectives? How do you act when things don't go your way? Chances are your peers have a pretty good sense of how you act when “no one is looking.” See also Eight Reasons Your Peers Rate You Low on Your 360 Assessment
Here are four ways to get more helpful feedback from your peers.
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Make It About More Than You
Like it or not, sometimes your peers may also see YOU as a competitor and question your motives for seeking out feedback. Your request for insight is more compelling when you ground it in a desire to improve the business or the customer experience. “What do you think I could do differently to create an even better experience for our customers?” “I really care about our team effectiveness, what specifically do you think I could do to help our team collaborate better?” “This project is on such a tight deadline, what specifically can I do to make our work processes more efficient?”
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Model it
Want great feedback from your peers? Start by being a great feedback giver. Be the guy who your peers can count on to tell them the real deal. Be generous with your specific and timely praise, and develop trust so that they are interested in what else you have to say. It will be that much easier when you turn around and ask, “And how do you think I could be more impactful?”
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Get Specific
“Do you have any feedback for me?” Is likely to be met with a generic “No, man, you're doing great,” response. This might feel good, but is not all that useful. Instead try, “What is one behavior I could change that would make me more impactful on this project?” Or, “I'm really working on improving my communication skills, can you give me one suggestion to help me improve my communication with you?”
Once they give you one idea, then you can always say, “Great! Thank you. What else?” Or you can take it one step further and conduct a DIY 360.
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Respond
If they're right, act on it. And if you think it's B.S., ask a few more folks for their perspective. The best way to get more feedback is to accept it graciously. Even if you don't agree, always say thank you.
See also: How Do I get my peers to trust me?
