Do you prefer receiving feedback on your performance from others or evaluating yourself? Explain your choice.

**Question:**
When trying to improve, some people prefer receiving feedback from others – managers, mentors, or peers – because others may see blind spots. Others prefer self-evaluation, trusting their own judgment and avoiding the discomfort of criticism. Which do you prefer and why? Provide specific reasons and examples.

**Model Answer (196 words):**

I prefer receiving feedback from others, although self-evaluation also has value. My preference is based on the existence of blind spots, the faster improvement from external input, and the humility required for growth.

First, others see what I cannot see. Everyone has blind spots – habits, patterns, or weaknesses that are obvious to observers but invisible to ourselves. I have had colleagues point out that I interrupt people in meetings or that I sound defensive when receiving criticism. I had no idea I did these things. Once someone told me, I could work on them. Self-evaluation alone would never have revealed these issues.

Second, external feedback accelerates improvement. A mentor or manager has experience and perspective that I lack. They can tell me not just that something is wrong, but how to fix it. They can recommend resources, strategies, or examples. Learning from others’ experience is faster than learning everything through trial and error. I have improved more in one year with good feedback than in three years without it.

Finally, seeking feedback requires humility, which is essential for growth. It is uncomfortable to hear that I am not as good as I think I am. But that discomfort is the feeling of learning. People who cannot accept feedback stagnate. People who actively seek it improve continuously. I want to be the latter. I would rather be told I am wrong and improve than believe I am right and stay the same.

That said, not all feedback is useful. I have learned to filter, to consider the source, and to trust my own judgment when feedback conflicts. But overall, feedback from others is a gift. I actively seek it.