When was the last time you asked yourself…How do I know if I’m doing great?
Do you love getting report cards? If the answer is “yes’ I bet, you were a super student from kindergarten straight through your school days. For some who are averse to tracking success, well, it really does need to be done, whether you like it or not.
Today I want to look at measuring your improvement as a leader. It comes from the following email I received recently.
Dear Dr. Sylvia,
I’ve been through so many leadership programs and I’m simply at a loss on how to measure my success as a leader. What data do you think will help me see if I am on the right track?
Signed,
Super Achiever
Dear S.A.,
Good idea to get some markers to see if you are climbing the right mountain at the right time.
And the question, “How do I measure my improvement as a leader” is one to ask yourself and others at 3/6/9 /12-month intervals.
Let’s start with 4 key areas all individuals in leadership capacities need to consider:
- How do you empower the vision of your organization?
- How do you know you hired the right people?
- How are you communicating what needs to be addressed?
- How are you using the best ways you motivate your team?
Of course, ROI is the standard bearer. Not making the money says something is not working, right?
You don’t need me to tell you that. What I can help you with are some thoughts to ponder as you take a critical look at your leadership skills. That means taking some quiet time and asking yourself important questions.
I am suggesting that as you learn to become more aware of yourself (the best leaders, as you know, are self -aware) you can take what you get from your personal quiet time and then start to ask others about how they respond to you. You can do assessments and get good information.
However…. Start by talking to yourself.
- How are you being true to the direction you have created for your business? How are you continuing to think bigger and deeper as you empower the vision for the short term and long term of your work world?
- How do you know you hired the right people to help you fulfil the vision? Can you be in a meeting and feel the willingness of your team to support each other, move beyond ego, and look for the best solutions using critical thinking rather than personality ploys?
- How are you enhancing your communication with short and empowering stories to drive home what you want to get across to people?
- How do you decide which motivators to use at any given time, from coercion to charisma?
I suggest that the most important measurements come from your ability to observe yourself and then go to the assessments. Good idea to take the leadership development test I have created to see what behavior patterns you use and what to do if you want to make positive changes.
It’s smart occasionally pause and to ask the question…how do I know I’m doing great? Keep going and keep growing.
