Many organizations offer formal employee review processes. Usually on an annual basis, managers will review the performance of their employees against the qualifications for their positions. Then, they'll proceed to grade their employees on how well they've met those qualifications. Good employees will have met expectations, but great employees will have exceeded them. We do this kind of analysis for our employees, but do we do it for ourselves?
How many organizations have a manager review process? Suppose you turned the tables. What if you gave your employees the clipboard, and you had to answer their questions about how well you've met the qualifications they want in a leader? How would you stack up? Would you fail to meet their expectations, would you merely meet their expectations, or would you far exceed their expectations?
Great leaders exceed expectations. Whether or not you offer your employees an opportunity to formally review your performance, you should always been the lookout to get their feedback on your performance. The leaders sets the pace for the performance of the entire organization. Oftentimes, when there is a breakdown in employees, it isn't so much that the employees are failing to meet expectations so much as it is that the leader isn't doing enough to meet their expectations. So, before looking for something to improve in our teams, let's always try taking a look in the mirror. Are we exceeding the expectations of our people? Because, if we do, they will almost always be willing to exceed ours.
David Lykken is 40-year mortgage industry veteran who has been an owner operator in three mortgage banking companies and a software company. As a former business owner/operator, today David loves helping C-Level executives and business owners achieve extraordinary results via consulting, coaching and communications, with the objective of eliminating corporate dysfunction, establishing and communicating a clear corporate strategy while focusing on process improvement and operational efficiencies resulting in increased profitability. David has been a regular contributor on CNBC and Fox Business News and currently hosts a successful weekly radio program, “Lykken on Lending,” that is heard each Monday at noon (Central Standard Time) by thousands of mortgage professionals. He produces a daily one-minute video called “Today’s Mortgage Minute” that appears on hundreds of television, radio and newspaper Web sites across America. He may be reached by phone at (512) 501-2810 or by e-mail at [email protected].
