Leadership: Examine Backward

Welcome to Friday.

If you're reading this on Friday morning, you're at the end of a full week.

Before you continue with your work, pause a moment to evaluate how you spent the time.

Recall that on Monday of this week I suggested having a vision and a plan for the days ahead. Did you develop these? If so, how did your accomplishments compare with what you wanted to do? Did you accomplish more? Less? If so, why?

Today's blog and the one that I posted on Monday describe a process that I've been using for many years. It consists of giving myself a performance review every week.

This review has two parts:

1) A summary of what I accomplished.

This consists of: a) a list of what I did, followed by b) an analysis of how that compares with what I expected. In this I identify areas for improvement and I congratulate myself for successes. I write this through the voice of a firm yet kind boss. So it's both candid and supportive.

2) A description of what I want to accomplish during the next week.

This includes achievements, actions, and behaviors (or expectations). Then I check this daily during the week when I plan each day. And of course, if something changes, I change the plan. For example, I received a request for a proposal this week, so I added preparing a proposal to the list.

I write these out in a journal book. Typically, each fills a page.

This process has helped me significantly. As an entrepreneur, I'm responsible for everything in my business. And so this helps me focus on tasks that matter, set priorities, and make continual improvements.

I urge you to adopt a version of this process for your work. You'll be impressed by the results.

Key Point: Leaders set directions and evaluate progress -- for their staff and for themselves.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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