Are You the Hurdle to Your Own Success?

Summary

This is the time of the year for the submission of last year's performance appraisal and deliberation of the plan for this year's work. Are you facing a problem deciding what you should focus for the year? You can be an executive or C-Suite Manager, you will soon find out that you are the hurdle to your own success.

Introduction

Many tried to be conscientious Managers and strived to over-achieve objectives. There are always those who made good strides and others who have made a fair share of mistakes in their careers. If we keep an open mind and look at the success of others closely, you may notice one or two lessons worth picking up. At the end of the day, it is better to learn from another person's mistake that our own.

The Strategy

We should have a clear mind map of the three verticals of a successful strategy in planning for the Objectives and Key Results(OKR) or Key Performance Indicator(KPI).

Firstly, clear communication of the last year's performance will help you start from a clean slate. Only by reviewing the hits and misses of last year can you set a good foundation on lessons learnt and the gaps to be filled this year. Keep a close working relationship with your reporting officer to get additional guidances.

Secondly, be fair and unbiased in your project and subordinate's performance. You do not want to put a bad name to your management integrity with an over-confident review or overly biased appraisal. If possible, review the external environment to see if it was circumstances that lead to good or bad outcome and give credit accordingly. For executive and C-Suite level, sharing credit is an indirect way to earn trust from management. Start building yourself up as a trusted brand

Lastly, align yourself to the company's strategy. Many Managers made the same mistakes over the year by assuming that what they wanted would be what the company have wanted. The management may have a set of plans in their own discussions. This point is linked back to the first point about communication. Success is always a non-linear process and it is dynamic.

The Solution

On the project and task level, if you can do the following, you will have an improved chance in meeting your OKR or KPI.

Under-Promise and Over-Deliver - Invest in research schedule. If you do not know the scope of the subject well enough, you will always be set up to be the hurdle of your own success. Make sure that you set enough time for research. Commit a later date for project completion upfront and deliver beyond expectation.

Based on Own Capability - If your strength does not lie on a particular subject matter, you may rely on another team mate to even out the average strength or change the scope of the project to suit your strength. There is no shame in recognising the shortcoming of yourself. Be truthful to yourself.

Keep an Open Mind - When you have few resources, it is better for you to keep an open mind. There will always be a more versatile colleague who can give you a better suggestion in doing things in alternative ways.

Market Yourself as a Trusted Brand

At this stage, you should have been enabled and encouraged in the delivery of your project outcome. Collaborate with other departments within the scope of your OKR/KPI. Set yourself up as a trusted brand in delivering outcome within your organisation.

What is the Outcome for Me?

You meet your OKR/KPI.

What Lesson Do I Learn?

People who have enjoyed working with you will help you in the next project. You become allies with more colleagues and this helps you to remove the hurdle to your own success.