Americans value and practice active feedback-seeking—initiating requests for evaluation rather than waiting for it to arrive. “How am I doing?” signals commitment to improvement and openness to input. Those who seek feedback demonstrate growth orientation; those who avoid it may seem defensive or complacent. Organizations encourage feedback-seeking as developmental practice, and managers who ask subordinates for input model valued behavior.
When working with Americans, do not assume that silence means satisfaction. Ask directly for feedback on your performance, and be prepared to hear honest responses. Seeking feedback creates permission for directness that unsolicited feedback might not have. It also demonstrates the kind of openness and developmental orientation that Americans admire.
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