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It’s your performance, your career, now take control.
The traditional model of semiannual or annual performance reviews conducted by managers is outdated and ineffective but very few organizations have formally changed how they “manage” employee performance. Over time, the evolution to a more ongoing, continuous development process will happen, but for most organizations that type of organizational change can take years.
Now is not the time to wait. Each of us can proactively move from waiting for those leader-led semi- or annual performance reviews to highly effective and targeted continuous performance connections by using a simple 3 I framework to focus and account for your performance actions, activities, and results: Initiative, Influence, and Impact.
Initiative: (noun) the power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do.
A primary driver for any performance success is consistently taking initiative. Don’t wait, take the initiative to:
Better clarify your role and responsibilities.
Define your goals and objectives.
Align your performance actions and activities.
Personally set performance expectations with your manager.
Schedule 30-40 minute connections, on an every 4-6 week cadence to review and plan your performance results.
Influence: (noun) the capacity to have an effect on the character, development or behavior on someone or something.
It’s not just what you accomplish but how you go about getting results is equally important. Every interaction is an opportunity to either positively or negatively influence the outcome. How we act, and more importantly, how we react can define our impact and the effectiveness of that impact.
As part of your continuous development consider:
Develop greater situational awareness.
Is your attitude consistent and does it promote positive interactions?
Are your daily behaviors aligned with organizational and team values?
Create authentic connections not just more communications.
Impact: (noun) the force of impression on one thing or another.
And finally, assessing and enhancing your overall impact. In your ongoing performance development, understanding, measuring, and enhancing your daily impact is critical to ensuring sustained value being delivered to your team and organization. It is your initiative combined with your influence that will determine your overall effectiveness and success.
Consider these focus areas that enhance overall impact:
Better self-awareness combined with better situational awareness.
Reflect each day on your personal daily contribution.
How are your actions and results supporting your team?
How and where can you accelerate your performance?
This 3 I performance framework can and will set you and your performance apart. As you look to focus and account for your performance actions, activities, and results, always remember to show initiative, gain influence, and provide impact.
