.png)
Feedback is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. Traditionally, we associate feedback with input from managers and superiors. While manager feedback is undoubtedly important, the value of feedback from colleagues or peers should not be underestimated. These are the 5 most important reasons why feedback from colleagues can be more valuable than from your manager.
Your colleagues work closely with you on a daily basis, witnessing your performance in a way that your manager might not. They observe your strengths, weaknesses, and work habits in a more intimate setting, giving them unique insights into your professional capabilities. This enables them to offer feedback that is highly specific and actionable, tailored to various situations you encounter.
Peers come from different backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets, which means their feedback is often more diverse and less influenced by hierarchical dynamics. Manager feedback can sometimes be affected by personal biases or pressures related to performance evaluations. Especially, if you ask for feedback proactively, colleagues are more likely to provide candid and objective feedback, ensuring a well-rounded perspective on your performance.
Receiving feedback from managers can be daunting, particularly for employees who feel intimidated by the implications of their manager redirecting their behavior. In contrast, peer feedback tends to create a safer and more approachable environment. Colleagues understand the challenges you face, making it easier to accept their feedback and work towards improvement.
Frequent peer-to-peer feedback promotes a culture of collaboration within the team. When everyone is invested in each other's growth and success, it strengthens team dynamics and leads to a more cohesive and high-performing group. Continuous learning becomes an intrinsic part of the team's DNA, fostering team excellence.
Integrating peer feedback into your company culture enhances accountability among team members. Knowing that your peers will offer feedback can boost a sense of ownership and motivate you to perform at your best consistently. As a result, teams become more proactive, reliable, and committed to achieving collective goals.
