I was at the hospital with my very sick husband and my boss asked me if I wanted to proceed with my performance review. I said yes and the next 45 minutes were a blur as I received a tongue lashing for what I did not accomplish that year. While they acknowledged where I was target in my performance, I did not hear it because I NEVER and I mean NEVER get a poor review. On top of not knowing what condition my husband would emerge from the hospital, I was shell shocked to say the least.
Out of tough times comes reflection and new insights into personal performance for which I soon discovered I did not have good decision making skills when it came to prioritization. The gift of having a negative review was it short circuited the behavior of trying to do everything and failing in some of my priorities. I later took an online course in prioritization and good decision logic. Alas there is good news and bad news from this situation. My boss never followed up with me on how the training went and mentor me through the process. The good news is I practiced these skills on my own for which I’m grateful to carry this forward to teach aspiring C-suite leaders so they don’t have to struggle like I did.
Actionable tips to make a difference in days, not months.
A few simple tips I teach in the C-Suite Academy (CSA) are the following:
- Write down your core values – by doing this, you establish a goal post for which you make decisions that impact your personal life.
- Write down why you lead – this gives you clarity why you’ve worked so hard to get to this point and why you want to continue
- Ask yourself how you lead – this will give you insight if you micromanage and are causing your own stress.
- How do you prioritize your work – do you block time to do emails, do you dedicate creative time, if an urgent item comes into your queue, do you have a process to manage it without disruption? I teach the Eisenhower Matrix to help define what is urgent vs. important and it’s been a game changer
- Do you have a weekly or monthly 1:1 with your boss to manage priorities? If not, start now!
- Is your boss also a mentor? If not, find that person fast so they can help you with perspective in making decisions while being grounded in your values and why you lead.
I wish I had a leader who would have taught me these things vs. simply giving me a poor review. It is because I was blindsided and had a professional setback that I quickly had to recover and now these insights I can share with you.
For more information about C-Suite Academy (CSA) dedicated to the aspiring C-Suite leader, simply email me or connect with me for a quick chat. I can’t wait to help you be successful and reach your goals!
For more resources, you can listen to The Drop In CEO Podcast or check out my book The CEO’s Compass will help you get on track in days not months.
Resources
Good Reads
Climbing the Right Mountain by Tony Martingnetti
I recently interviewed Tony and can’t wait for his interview to air. His book is an inspiration to help you follow the path you were meant to follow. While moving up in your career you seek to meet all your objectives; but pause and reflect as to what is the work you were meant to do? It may be different.
Good Music
This song has a slightly sad note along with a playful melody. I often share songs with you that describe the moment I am in. I recently made a slight change to my streams of income in my business to support my goals. I realize it’s a temporary course correction for which it enables me to continue to move forward with my goals; such as the C-Suite Academy. Let me know what inspiration you get from this melody.
Good Advice
My conversation with Dr. Jason Brooks affirmed my passion to help aspiring C-Suite Leaders. It is my hope and wish through providing you these amazing resources that I can move C-Suite leaders closer to their goals.
“Leadership is the art of motivating and moving a group of people to
Accomplish a common goal and objective.”
– Dr. Jason Brooks