Why Top Companies Prioritize Feedback From Independent Contractors

High-value independent contractors who work with your organization long-term on multiple projects often have unique insights that can help your business grow. They bring experience from diverse industries and companies and are typically eager to share their perspectives.

The best approach for getting feedback is to ask them directly. But how exactly should you gather this feedback? And how can you use it to benefit everyone on your team? Let's explore:

Why Feedback From Independent Contractors Matters

Asking for feedback from contractors offers key advantages for your organization, including:

Improve productivity and efficiency

Contractors can often reveal hidden inefficiencies you might miss. They often identify bottlenecks and suggest practical solutions to streamline operations.

Encourage open dialogue

Asking for everyone's input creates a culture where team members feel heard. This habit breaks down communication barriers and turns feedback into better collaboration.

Enhance problem-solving

Contractors share playbooks from different industries that challenge "how we’ve always done it." Their approaches add fresh tools to your team’s problem-solving toolkit.

Generate new ideas

With experience across organizations, contractors can share innovative concepts. They help your team see problems through a different lens.

Build a feedback culture

Seasoned contractors help you avoid reinventing the wheel. Their roadmap for common challenges helps teams deliver faster with fewer missteps.

Check Out: 6 Ways Companies Can Build Strong Contractor Relationships 

How to Ask for Feedback That Drives Success

Investing time in tapping into the expertise of independent contractors on your team can yield significant benefits. To get truly useful insights, focus on how you ask:

Meet in person (virtually or face-to-face)

Avoid email requests where tone and nuance can get lost. Live conversations allow for natural back-and-forth that often reveals deeper insights.

Set intentional meeting agendas

The best feedback sessions start with a little prep work. Before jumping in, nail down 1-2 key things you want to accomplish. You'll get more useful answers than if you just ask, "Anything new to report?" and hope for the best.

Spark real conversation with open-ended questions

Want thoughtful responses? Ask questions that can't be answered with just "yes" or "no." That kind of question gets people sharing actual experiences, not just giving you the bare minimum.

Push past surface-level answers

First responses frequently only reveal part of the picture. Probing with questions like "How have other teams you've worked with tackled this?" shows you value their expertise and helps uncover more meaningful perspectives.

Review and implement feedback

Immediately after the conversation, highlight the most important takeaways. Then categorize suggestions into quick wins (easy to implement now) and longer-term improvements.

Close the loop with your collaborators

Thank contractors for their input right after your conversation. Later, share specific examples of how you've used their suggestions—this encourages continued honest feedback.

More Support and Resources for Your Independent Workforce

Independent contractors are valuable sources of insight, and their perspectives can greatly improve your team's performance. Consider scheduling regular check-ins, perhaps after major milestones or on a regular schedule.

If you need more tips on building the right workforce, MBO Partners has helpful resources to guide you. We offer advice on everything from hiring the right talent to working with independent contractors. Check out our content for easy-to-follow insights to help support your future workforce plans.