Managing the Science - Performance

“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.”??

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?– Vidal Sassoon??

In our last article, we discussed the science and art of performance and how the confluence of the two creates a harmonious career.???

As we continue to navigate the dynamic landscape of our industry, we must leverage the science of performance to drive success in our organization. By understanding and optimizing our performance, we can achieve our goals and propel our organization to new heights.????

So, here I am with the step-by-step guide on how to manage your performance, taking the example of one of my colleagues:???

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1. Ask yourself: are you clear about your goals???

When we set clear and concise objectives for ourselves, we are essentially creating a roadmap to success. So, before initiating any task or taking up any work, set SMART goals, goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and most importantly, time bound.???

For example, my content writer, Astha has a goal of creating content that improves our brand salience by x% by creating a set number of blogs and articles every month. She has translated these goals into daily tasks and tracks the completion every day. ???

2. Understand how you are contributing to the organization????

The next step is to understand your role thoroughly as an employee of the organization and the impact of your performance on the larger goals of your team and the organization. Recognize the value you bring to the table and how your efforts fit into the larger picture.? ??

Initially, Astha felt a little stressed with the quantum of work assigned to her as she considered writing articles as her contribution to the organization. To combat this, her manager, Diya discussed the butterfly effect of her articles. How producing high-quality content can help the firm reach a larger audience as well as attract potential clients that will help the organization achieve its purpose of driving GDP growth and job creation.?Now Astha is not stressed by the work or the long hours.???

3. Resource and information collection????

To perform well, knowing your contribution and setting goals are not enough. The starting point of any task is the collection and access to the right and relevant information. Ensure you have access to the necessary information, tools, and resources needed to perform your job effectively. Stay informed about industry trends, best practices, and any changes or developments that may impact your work.??

Behind Astha’s every article are the efforts of her peers and her manager, who make her aware of the upcoming trends and social media analytics. To ideate on the articles, she reaches out to me to gain insights on the kind of content CEOs and CHROs enjoy reading.??

4. Executing well???

Having all the right resources and all the information required, the next step is to ensure seamless and perfect execution of the task at hand. focus on executing your tasks and responsibilities with excellence. Prioritize your work, manage your time effectively, and strive to achieve high-quality results.? ?

Astha plans and manages her work to effectively write?flawless articles within the designated timeframe, utilizing the resources and thematic guidelines provided to her.???

5. Self-evaluation??

Self-evaluation is another critical aspect of performance management. By regularly assessing your performance and identifying areas for improvement, you can continuously strive for excellence. Reflect on what you have accomplished, what challenges you have encountered, and how you can improve. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses.? ??

Being the only content writer, Astha assesses her performance based on the accuracy of information, adherence to given guidelines, and overall quality of writing.??

6. Seeking Feedback??

Feedback is invaluable in this process. By actively seeking input from colleagues, supervisors, and stakeholders, you gain valuable insights into your performance. Feedback is a prerequisite for improvement and provides growth opportunities.??

Astha also reaches out to her superiors and colleagues to request their input on the articles, right from clarity to overall effectiveness. ?

7. Assessing independent impact???

Assessing independent impact allows you to measure the tangible results of your efforts and identify areas where you can further optimize your performance. Evaluate the impact of your work on projects, initiatives, and the overall success of your team and organization. Look for tangible results and find areas where there may be room for further improvement.???

Knowing just her own or her colleagues' opinions is not enough, Astha needs to understand what her audience thinks about her work, and their responses are the tangible results of her hard work.??

8. Based on the identified gaps, build capability??

Finally, building capabilities based on identified gaps is essential for continued growth and development. Identify any gaps or areas for improvement in your skills, knowledge, or abilities. Take proactive steps to address these gaps by seeking out learning opportunities, training programs, mentorship, or other resources that can help you develop and grow.??

Finally, Astha takes the path of Kaizen, or continuous improvement by identifying deviations and fixing shortcomings, if any, to create high-quality content.??

?Key takeaways from the article:??

• Set Clear Goals??
• Understand Your Contribution?to the organization?
• Access Resources and Information??
• Execute With Excellence??
• Self-Evaluation??
• Seek Feedback??
• Assess Impact??
• Continuous Improvement??

High performance leads to high engagement. Staying engaged is the responsibility of an employee as much as that of the manager and the organization.?

How do you plan to implement the principles of managing performance in your own career journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below!?

Keep an eye for upcoming articles and solve this puzzle of career management!?

Stay tuned and keep learning!?

Until the next time! ?