What's the best way to ask for feedback from my manager?

The best way to ask your manager for feedback is to ask specific, narrow questions during a dedicated one-on-one meeting rather than using vague phrases like "how am I doing?"reddit.com+2

General questions overwhelm managers and lead to generic answers. By focusing on a recent project, specific skills, or actionable changes, you make it easier for your boss to give clear and helpful guidance.lauriemaddalena.com+1

Best Practices for Asking

• Be specific : Tie your request to a recent project, presentation, or task so the work is fresh in your manager's mind.
• Give advance notice : Drop a quick agenda item before your regular one-on-one meeting so your manager has time to reflect.
• Use open-ended frameworks : Ask targeted start/stop/continue questions or focus on concrete behavior.
• Accept it gracefully : Take notes, avoid becoming defensive, and thank them for their honesty.radicalcandor.com+2

Copyable Message Examples

After a Specific Project or Presentation

"Hi [Manager Name], do you have five minutes at the end of our one-on-one this week to share some thoughts on how I handled the [Project Name] launch? I’d love to know what went well and where I can streamline things for the next rollout."

For General Growth and Skill-Building

"Hi [Manager Name], I’ve been reflecting on my goals for this quarter and want to make sure I am growing in my role. During our next chat, could we focus on one area where you think I can add more value and one specific habit I should focus on improving?"

Using the Start, Stop, Continue Framework

"Hi [Manager Name], as I settle into these new responsibilities, I’d love your quick take on my progress. When we meet next, could you tell me one thing I should start doing, one thing I should stop doing, and one thing I should continue doing?"lattice.com

If you'd like, let me know:

• Is this for a formal review or a recent specific project?
• Are you looking for general performance feedback or trying to correct a specific issue?

I can help tailor the exact phrasing for your situation.

The most effective approach is to make your request specific, timely, and focused on improvement rather than asking a broad “How am I doing?”Indeed+1

You could say:

During the conversation, questions like these tend to produce more useful feedback:

• “What’s one thing I’m doing particularly well?”
• “What’s one thing I could do differently?”
• “Is there anything I could improve in how I communicate or prioritize?”
• “What would you like to see me take more ownership of?”
• “What’s one skill I should focus on developing over the next few months?”

It also helps to ask , when your manager can give concrete examples rather than general impressions.

The most effective approach is to make the request specific, timely, and focused on improvement rather than asking a broad “How am I doing?”Yale Career Development+1

A simple formula

1. Pick a specific context — a recent project, presentation, meeting, or skill.
2. Ask for one or two concrete improvements.
3. Make it forward-looking — what should you do differently next time?
4. Give your manager a little time to think, especially if you want candid feedback.
5. on what you changed based on their advice.

The best way to ask your manager for feedback is to ask specific, targeted questions during a dedicated 1-on-1 meeting rather than asking a broad, vague question like "How am I doing?"quora.com+1

To get actionable and constructive insights, use a structured approach that guides your manager toward concrete answers.

The best way to ask your manager for feedback is to ask narrow, highly specific questions about a recent project or task rather than using vague prompts like "How am I doing?"lauriemaddalena.com+1

To see practical examples of how to frame targeted questions and make it safe for your manager to give honest input, watch this short video guide:

Key Strategies for Asking

• Send questions in advance : Give your manager time to reflect by emailing your specific focus areas before your next one-on-one meeting.

The best approach is to make the request specific, timely, and focused on growth, rather than simply asking, “Do you have any feedback for me?” Specific questions tend to produce much more actionable answers.Indeed+1

Try something like:

“I’d like to get your perspective on how I’m doing and where I could improve. Looking at the work I’ve done recently, what’s one thing you think I should keep doing and one thing I could do differently?” Or, if you want feedback on a particular project:

“Could I get your feedback on how I handled the [project/presentation]? What do you think worked well, and what would you recommend I approach differently next time?”

A few tips

Asking for feedback effectively comes down to being specific, making it low-friction for your manager, and framing it around growth rather than validation. Here is a step-by-step framework to get actionable, honest insights:

• Be specific upfront: Avoid a vague "How am I doing?" Instead, anchor your request to a recent project, presentation, or specific skill (e.g., "How do you think I handled the Q3 client handoff?").
• Give them time to prep: Don’t spring it on them in the final two minutes of a 1-on-1. Drop a quick agenda item 24 hours in advance so they can gather their thoughts.
• Ask the right questions: Use targeted prompts that dig into blind spots rather than general praise. Try asking:
  • "What is one thing I could start doing, and one thing I should stop doing, to make your job easier?"
  • "Where do you think I spent too much or too little time on this last project?"
  • "What skill should I focus on developing over the next three months?"
• Keep your reaction neutral: Listen to understand, not to defend. Even if the feedback stings or you disagree, thank them for their candor and process it before responding.

The best approach is to make the request specific, forward-looking, and easy to answer. Asking “How am I doing?” often gets you “You’re doing great.” Specific questions are much more likely to produce useful feedback.Indeed+1

You could say:

If you're asking in person

A simple version is:

“I’d really value your feedback. What’s one thing you think I’m doing well, and what’s one thing I could do better or differently?” If your manager gives you a vague answer like “Everything’s fine,” follow up with “If you could change one thing about how I work, what would it be?” That tends to make the conversation much more concrete.Ask a Manager

The best way to ask your manager for feedback is to ask specific, narrow questions right after a recent project or during a one-on-one meeting . Vague questions like "How am I doing?" are too broad and make it hard for a manager to give a useful answer.lauriemaddalena.com+2

For more tips and a step-by-step framework, you can read the guide on How to Ask Your Manager for Feedback.lattice.com

Steps to Ask for Feedback