Blind Self-Assessment

Larry Janesky: Think Daily

For leaders, the higher you go in the organization, and especially at the top, self-assessment becomes more difficult. The reason is there are fewer and fewer people who want to give you honest feedback the higher you go.

How do you (have you in the past) respond when someone gives you negative feedback on your performance, ideas or decisions? Maybe that’s why they stopped giving it to you.

Changing this won’t be easy because now you have a reputation. Ask for feedback and listen. Don’t defend yourself or judge the feedback or the one giving it. Ask follow-up questions and listen some more. Say thank you. Really consider the feedback yourself. Allow feedback in public and at meetings. Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Don’t take yourself so seriously. Make doing the best for the organization your number one priority, not looking good.  

Let other people help you get better.

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