I was recently asked, "Can you give me some good ideas to professionally satisfy my manager? What are the skills I should show in order to have a good performance review?"
My first question was, "Well, have you asked them?"
In theory you shouldn't have to ask them because when you started the job you should have been provided with a position description that clearly outlines what your responsibilities are. Ideally, you would also have been given a list of measurable goals you need to achieve.
Combine these two pieces of information and successfully meet your objectives and you should be on target to great performance review.
Of course there are other factors that will impact your success, but the best way to determine how you're doing is to regularly check in with your boss and ask for constructive feedback - don't wait until the annual review to seek opportunities for improvement.
A message to managers: If you're not happy with the way a team member is performing it could be because you've never clearly communicated their role, nor coached them on attributes you'd like to see improvements in.
Like any good relationship, communication is key.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Do You Really Want To Become a Manager?
I recently came across an article discussing the challenges new managers face following a promotion.
I always warn clients to watch what they wish for in their desire for more pay, responsibility and recognition.
Their success is often marred when they come up against the challenges outlined in this article.
They forget that they've been trained for years in their vocation, but have received little, or no, management, supervisor or team leader training and soon discover it's not as easy at looks!
The worst part is, they often go from being a 'star' within the organization to someone who needs coaching for poor performance as a manager. It's a heavy blow to high achievers and often affects their self-esteem.
If you think about it people tend to chose their career based on something they're interested in, i.e. sales, human potentiality, accounting etc and as we know we tend to excel in things that interest us. Just think back to school, if you didn't give a hoot about geography high scores probably didn't come naturally to you.
It's the same in the work world, unless you've done numerous management courses or an MBA it's unlikely you've been exposed to, or trained in, effective management practices. I liken it to getting my first car when I was 21, up until then we never had a car in our family so despite my driving lessons and passing the test I had little road sense because I didn't have much experience even being a passenger in a car. It took me a while to gain my confidence and that came from consistent exposure and often a bit of terror over close calls.
Don't let your management career be a car wreck, learn up front what's required, hone your skills BEFORE you get the job and excel when you're in it.
Check out the article here: Do You Really Want To Be A Manager?: "Craig looked plaintively across the desk at me. He'd come to me for help adapting to his new role as a manager. He was having a lot of trouble."
I always warn clients to watch what they wish for in their desire for more pay, responsibility and recognition.
Their success is often marred when they come up against the challenges outlined in this article.
They forget that they've been trained for years in their vocation, but have received little, or no, management, supervisor or team leader training and soon discover it's not as easy at looks!
The worst part is, they often go from being a 'star' within the organization to someone who needs coaching for poor performance as a manager. It's a heavy blow to high achievers and often affects their self-esteem.
If you think about it people tend to chose their career based on something they're interested in, i.e. sales, human potentiality, accounting etc and as we know we tend to excel in things that interest us. Just think back to school, if you didn't give a hoot about geography high scores probably didn't come naturally to you.
It's the same in the work world, unless you've done numerous management courses or an MBA it's unlikely you've been exposed to, or trained in, effective management practices. I liken it to getting my first car when I was 21, up until then we never had a car in our family so despite my driving lessons and passing the test I had little road sense because I didn't have much experience even being a passenger in a car. It took me a while to gain my confidence and that came from consistent exposure and often a bit of terror over close calls.
Don't let your management career be a car wreck, learn up front what's required, hone your skills BEFORE you get the job and excel when you're in it.
Check out the article here: Do You Really Want To Be A Manager?: "Craig looked plaintively across the desk at me. He'd come to me for help adapting to his new role as a manager. He was having a lot of trouble."
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