How Software Engineers Can Obtain Honest Feedback from Managers

Learn This Vital Skill to Move From Junior to Senior

In the rapidly evolving world of software engineering, staying up-to-date and continuously improving one’s skill set is paramount. But beyond mastering the latest programming language or framework, there’s another critical avenue of growth: receiving and acting upon feedback. Honest feedback can be a transformative tool, highlighting both our strengths and areas in need of attention. Yet, soliciting genuine feedback is not always straightforward. Here’s a guide to help software engineers effectively obtain candid feedback from their managers.

Initiate the Conversation

Waiting for the annual review? Don’t. Continuous delivery and integration are not just for code; they apply to personal growth as well. By regularly soliciting feedback, you align yourself with the agile and iterative principles cherished in software development. Moreover, taking the initiative sends a strong signal: you’re committed to your professional development.

Instead of a broad “Do you have any feedback for me?”, frame your request with specifics related to recent sprints or projects: “I felt I could have optimized the code better in our recent release. Do you have any insights on that?”