The fact is, unless you have a board of advisors or directors, there usually isn’t anyone in your business to evaluate your performance and give you honest feedback. Most business owners get their best feedback while brushing their teeth in the morning and looking into the mirror. How would it go if you were giving yourself a 1:1 review? It could be a scary thought if you’re brutally honest about it. Would you grade yourself on a curve?
This exercise could be important to you in many ways. As you are seldom challenged or questioned about decisions or actions that you take, this is an opportunity to step out of your role and objectively look at areas that you excel in as well as the areas that you may not be that comfortable with.
I’ve yet to meet anyone who knocks it out of the park in all areas that a business owner and leader should be proficient in. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Where you came from, whether that be sales, operations, finance, marketing or perhaps from outside the industry all together, usually dictates your strongest areas of excellence. Some leaders have worked to shore up their areas of weakness, while others have filled that gap by hiring folks that complement their own strengths. Those who regard themselves as life-long learners continually work at self-improvement and are generally never satisfied with the status quo.
If you were to take on this review challenge, what areas would you evaluate? If I were to come up with a list of areas to consider, I would include:
- Leadership
- Employee engagement
- Customer centricity
- Living your core values
- Risk management
- Community involvement
- Creating shareholder value (employees, customers, suppliers, owners)
Take this list (feel free to edit) and give yourself a grade from 1-10 for each area. Then for each area write down your proudest achievements over the year, as well as 1-2 areas that you’ll commit to improvement. Yes, write this out. How did you do? Would you hire yourself?
Now find someone to share this with. This could be a spouse, a business partner, CPA, attorney or advisor. Ask them to give you honest feedback on your self-assessment and to help you stay true to the areas you’ve committed to improve.
What does your review process look like and how often do you conduct it? Give this a try and let me know how you do. If you have questions or additional insight into this topic, please comment below or reach out to me directly.
Mike Philie can help validate what’s working and what may need to change in your business. Changing the trajectory of a business is difficult to do while simultaneously operating the core competencies. Mike provides strategy and insight to owners and CEOs in the Graphic Communications Industry by providing direct and realistic advice, not being afraid to voice the unpopular opinion and helping leaders navigate change through a common sense and practical approach. Learn more at www.philiegroup.com, LinkedIn or email at mphilie@s756788055.onlinehome.us.
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