When “Needs Improvement” Is All You See
The best question to ask may be, “What are your expectations?” The answer can often be confusing. If you, your department, or the entire organization needs improvement what should you do?
We find out in the meeting. “This is a good start, but needs improvement.”
On the performance evaluation, “Work is satisfactory, but there are some areas that need improvement.”
“Next year your goals are higher.”
Needs Improvement
The role of many workplace professionals is to make improvements. That is what we’re always striving for, improve the process, become more efficient, and delight the customer. It is a constant effort to improve.
Yet we often face barriers and roadblocks, obstacles and hurdles, the so-called challenges of change. Most of the things in our pathway to improve are a residue of the organizational culture. The way the organization gets things done.
The management team is supposed to push, encourage, and perhaps passively shout to get the work done. Change is proposed, an action plan put in place, and people are watching and waiting.
You are only on the team because you fit, yet the design calls for change. Things are supposed to improve, yet we only do it our way, the way it has been successful in the past.
The organization seeks outside resources, advertises for new hires, yet whoever signs up doesn’t fit, so they are disregarded.
Clever words are selected, the mission is published and public. The branding video was expensive and demonstrates what it should. Everything is set.
Yet, on the inside, things haven’t changed. Cultural change is supposed to happen fast, but feels impossibly slow.
Things Have Changed
Since the industrial revolution, there has been a lot of change. Largely, we’ve addressed many of the “needs improvement” areas. If the Earth is 4.5 billion years old, the last 200 years have been phenomenal.
Don’t lose sight of the changes you’re making. Work hard and lead through the challenges. “Exceeds expectations,” is happening. It’s happening right before your eyes.
Seeing is believing.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
