REPOST: The truth about yourr job performance

In reality, speaking the truth may cause negative feelings to staff members, but when done skillfully, according to this article, it is much more likely to improve performance, and therefore results.

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We all know a technically strong leader with a well-deserved reputation for harshness toward people. Staff members complain about it. The leader’s peers can’t believe she gets away with it.

All too often, this leader’s annual evaluation is filled with praise for her technical prowess but barely mentions her troubling style with people. The review meeting focuses on her technical successes; as the employee leaves the boss shakes her hand and offers an afterthought: “You could put a little more effort into your people interactions.”

Because the skill deficit is downplayed, no discussion occurs about what success would look like or how it would be measured. The leader exits, thrilled at her great review, oblivious to the difficulty with her style. And the boss secretly hopes she will change her approach. But she doesn’t because she doesn’t know she should. Because no one has told her the truth.

What restrains organizational truth-telling? Fear of hurt feelings or injured relationships. Fear of conflict and confrontation. Fear that a valued technical resource might leave the organization.

It is human nature to quickly tally up the potential cost of speaking out. In reality, speaking the truth may cause these or other challenges, but when done skillfully, it is much more likely to improve performance, and therefore results.

Imagine what losing this fear of truth-telling might yield for your company.

Employee satisfaction grows and subsequently productivity rises. Problems are reported early, before customers are impacted. People bring forward new ideas, no longer worried about offending their leader by suggesting work be done differently.

What truths about performance are withheld in your organization? What cost does the resulting lack of employee knowledge impose on the organization? How are results impacted when the truth is unspoken?

What simple truths about performance do you need to speak for the betterment of your organization?

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Marc Accetta uses his unique style called “edutainment” in conducting his seminars as a life coach. Like this Facebook page for more updates.