When it’s asked for and is constructive, criticism and feedback are essential tools for professionals and business owners. According to Officevibe, the turnover rate for companies that implement constructive feedback from employees is more than 14% lower than companies that don’t. This is for two reasons: First, being allowed to provide feedback that might be implemented makes the employees feel valued. Second, it helps a company constantly improve by making positive changes that please employees.

If you want to improve your business or just your personal performance, then you may need to ask for honest, constructive feedback. Here are three ways to start asking for it.

Have a Focus

It’s important to limit the scope of the areas you receive constructive criticism on, in part because it keeps the person you’re asking focused. If you don’t keep them focused, they could begin offering feedback for activities you aren’t ready or prepared to change. Another reason to keep it focused is so you can prepare yourself for what’s coming. It’s never easy to listen to criticism, even when you’re asking for it. Controlling the scope means allowing yourself to mentally and emotionally prepare.

Choose your Critiquer Wisely

Every single person on the planet can give honest, well-meaning feedback for every situation, including those they have no experience in or knowledge of. When asking for honest, constructive feedback, choose those whose feedback will be helpful either because they have done what you’re doing or because they are directly impacted by the decisions you make. And remember that honest feedback isn’t always objectively correct. You may need to be choosy about what feedback you implement.

Provide the Right Tools for Feedback

Not everyone is going to be comfortable giving you solicited feedback to your face. Some people may want to provide their feedback anonymously while others might not want to be put on the spot to provide it. Consider giving people a few different ways of delivering the feedback, so you’re more likely to hear from a range of contributors.

Performing in a vacuum of self-satisfaction will probably never bring you the kind of success you want. Instead, open yourself up to honest feedback and learn from the knowledge, mistakes, experience, and observations of those you respect.