Performance Defined

For most of us, we are entering performance management season.?This is a time where we and our manager look back on our accomplishments and set goals for what lies ahead.?This conversation will likely involve a salary and benefits conversation regarding your worth to the organization.

As my leadership team was discussing performance, I was struck with a great memory that has influenced my thinking on the meaning of performance both individually and for the organization.?I thought it might be worth sharing for those who are pondering your prior performance, planning your future goals, and considering your worth to your current or any future organization.

My memory is from my early professional career working as a project manager.?I remember walking into my performance review with multiple pages of self-declared amazing things that I had done that year.?This included the numerous projects I had led, the special assignments I had stepped up to lead, the learning I accomplished, and the extracurricular things I had done to grow professionally.?I was so proud and felt certain I would be given the highest rating possible.?I had officially checked every box that was put in front of me.?Well, I did not get the highest rating and I was shocked.?So shocked in fact, that it took me a few months to even ask for feedback.?It is funny to look back now and see that if I would have received a great rating that year, I would not have received this more valuable lesson.

Through that experience, gathering feedback, talking to other leaders, and becoming a leader of people myself; my perspective has changed on performance.?I believe performance is measured on the lasting value you give back to your organization, its customers, and those you work with.?This means generating assets that will continue to generate value long after you have moved jobs or companies.?This can be process improvements, automation, computer systems, new product offerings, or strong future leaders of the organization.?While your own professional development is also a component of your worth to the organization, it is only one component.?We owe it to our organization to be more valuable than our own individual worth - to be something greater than ourselves.

As you step back and evaluate your performance and look toward the coming year, I ask that you weigh the assets you generate against what you got back from your company in terms of salary, benefits, and opportunities for growth.? I believe that when you are at your peak performance, the company is coming out ahead and I think you will realize... so are you.

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