I'm seeking input on measures and proxies for personal development of a better work attitude in myself. When you're working on a better outlook, how do you track this? How can you demonstrate it come performance review season?
A few casts on performance metrics and reviews have lead me to think that one way is to achieve zero problem instances. Are there other examples you've used that aren't zero-based? I'm hesitant to rely on a metric where "no one has complained" as the route to success.
Background:
This isn't the first place of employ where my attitude has been cited as a problem, so I'm inclined to think the problem is me: I've developed some really bad habits over time. My managers and others have said, "we definitely know where we stand with you," meaning that I have little ability to hide feelings of frustration or dissatisfaction from my face and body language. I get that behaviors are what you do and show, but shouting "yes, let's do it!" when i'm thinking "this is gonna require HUGE rework - again" seems in-genuine enough to be unethical. Is this legitimately the type of thoughts managers and leaders hold in their heads constantly? Or have they simply overcome any tendency to grouse internally?
What's worked for me in the past is to completely immerse myself in the MT podcasts, where the positive re-enforcement of good management practices from our gracious hosts keeps me operating above "knee jerk reaction" level, but I'm looking for a different type of metric I can hold myself to.
Any input is appreciated.
Small behaviors
Kudos for looking for the problem in the proverbial concentric circles around your own desk. This is the hard part, and you are already over that hump!
Your internal attitude and how others perceive it is hard to measure. Instead, focus on behavior - the words you say, how you say them, facial expression, body language.
List some simple behaviors that you want more of. Examples of behavior for the situation where someone is telling you about a new idea, task, change, plan etc. might include:
Then, you might use the poker chip technique. Put five poker chips (or something similar) in your right pocket at the start of the day. Each time you successfully change your behavior in one of the ways you listed for yourself, move one of the chips to the left pocket. Try to have them all in the left pocket by the end of the day.
Let us know how it's going with your personal change initiative!
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Falk Bruegmann
3-6-4-7
Oh, how could I forget?
P.S.: There is a cast for that. It's called "The Right Attitude", and it is in the (non-free) "First Job Fundamentals" series.
Topics of the cast include: Show up early/stay late, show willing, show enthusiasm, act supportively, and always have a pen and paper with you.
By the way, I'm not new to my job, but I still found the series very helpful. This specific cast is actually my favorite of the series.
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Falk Bruegmann
3-6-4-7
Thanks for your considerate
Thanks for your considerate reply. It's a good tip to try and use the same "pocket chips" system for making sure you give feedback. I hadn't thought of that.
I'm good on admitting mistakes, but still have trouble with being fully accountable (and in control) of the emotions I experience throughout the day. I'm usually waist deep in stress before I get a chance to stop and think, "why am I stressing myself out over this?"