Get Noticed!

Recently I delivered a feedback report to an engineering manager.  I collected information on his strengths and weaknesses from his boss, his peers, and his direct reports.  He was open to the feedback and focused on understanding what he needed to stop, start, and continue. And I know he’ll talk with his boss and others to figure out his next steps.  But even after all this, there is still one more important thing:  Ask someone to notice!

What do I mean by this?

To help feedback stick, it’s a good idea to ask a few of your feedback givers to pay attention and to tell you when they see improvement.  Or every once in awhile just ask a colleague you trust if they’ve noticed any changes in a certain behavior.  This helps you track your progress and let go of feedback once it’s no longer applicable. Having an outside eye is a great way to test your perspective on how you’re doing and reinforce the changes you want to make.