What Condition Is My Condition In?

Socrates embedded the premise within his students that, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” a philosophy that carried such value as to be passed down through centuries of time. Yet, how often do we take time to evaluate our lives? And what of our daily work, activities, or the general direction in which our progress is leading? Quite often the process of review and evaluation (which by default triggers goal setting) is reserved as a specific annual event. Employee reviews and New Year’s Eve are common dates that cross our path each year, bringing this task into play. But really, if there is a value to be found in evaluation, and Socrates deemed it supremely important, then shouldn’t we have a plan that brings us to that crossroads more frequently? The implied answer (the one floating between your ears right now) is yes. The more beneficial questions are: How often? And, how can I make it genuinely effective?   Over the years, I’ve found a few general things to be true of any review or evaluation process: <ul> <li>We are generally more critical of ourselves than someone else would be. </li> </ul> When someone else is doing the evaluation or review, they seek to balance critique with praise. Encouragement must offset disparagement or the person who is being reviewed leaves the process disheartened or defensive. This is why areas that need improvement have become known as “opportunities.” It just sounds better. Self evaluation can be brutally honest. Areas that need improvement can be highlighted in bold or circled in red ink. We know what it really means and we don’t have to make it sound good to protect our fragile ego.   <ul> <li>The evaluation process, regardless of who is asking questions of whom, is only as valuable as the questions asked. </li> </ul> If the questions to be answered are too general or don’t target specific areas in need of examination well enough, then the exercise won’t serve to benefit either party sufficiently. Evaluations, by design, should be a useful way of determining direction as well as progression. If goals cannot be more clearly defined and growth potential is not cultivated, then time has been wasted.   <ul> <li>Evaluations and Reviews should produce a useful blueprint for daily activity. </li> </ul> If the end result is a pair of signatures and another piece of paperwork filed away, then time would have been better spent elsewhere. A daily focal point for direction should be established with a blueprint for activity that builds a bridge from point A (where we are currently) to point B (where we want to be). Anything short of having something that can be of value to us on a daily basis cheats us out of the very fruit we were hoping to harvest.                                        * * * * *   Not long ago the challenge of developing a set of questions that could be used for self evaluation was put before my networking group. Responses to the questions were on a sliding scale from one to five. <ol> <li>Poor (Not opportunity. . . POOR! This needs to become an area of focus) </li> <li>Minimum (I give a minimum amount of effort in this area) </li> <li>Good (I do more than required, but I have a higher set of standards) </li> <li>Excel (This is a consistent area of strength) </li> <li>Example (I could be an example for someone else as to how this should be done)</li> </ol>   Here are some of the questions that the group felt would offer significant benefits: <ul> <li>Do I ask the right questions of my clients in the right way? (Do I ask open ended questions that leave opportunity for informative responses or closed ended questions that only leave options for a yes or no response?) </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Do I listen to my clients? (Am I hearing their feedback to the point where my proposals are properly guided towards meeting their needs and addressing their concerns?) </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Do I make my clients comfortable in their own space? (Do I build rapport?) </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>How well do I understand my clients and their business or personal needs? </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Do I look for additional opportunities for others who could offer value to my clients? (How effective am I when it comes to identifying potential referral opportunities?) </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>How well do I keep my word, my promises and my commitments to my clients? </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Am I making a concerted effort to manage my time wisely? Or, am I letting my day manage my time for me? </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>How effectively do I ask my current clients for referrals? </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>How effectively do I make use of the resources that are at my disposal? (technology, support staff, circle of business partners outside of my own company) </li> </ul>                                                    * * * * * The "Examined Life"? It takes time. It takes effort. But if done honestly, consistently, and with a purpose, it yields treasure than can’t be found any other way.   (If you have other suggestions for self-evaluating questions, I’d love to see them added to the list) 2009-11-06T13:16:26Z