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Where's Your Blind Spot?

I was out on the field at a kid's soccer tournament when I overheard bits and pieces of a conversation between a couple of the parents. "He's so out of touch. Full of ego. Has no idea what's really going on."
So I had to ask, "Are you talking about the coach?"

"No,"he replied. "I'm talking about my boss." For the next few minutes, the man went on about the terrible situation at work, how everyone in the office was about to quit if they hadn't been fired already. Low morale. Poor management. Toxic environment. All this because of a "bad boss."

I wondered if the boss had any idea about how bad things really were from the perspective of employees. If he did, what would he do?

The reality is that often managers are the last to know. Who tells them? Who has the guts? If someone does tell the manager the ugly truth, the employee might lose his or her job.

If you're in a leadership role, and you don't want to be the bad boss everyone's talking about, get feedback. How?

* Use assessments.
Some assessment tools provide 360 feedback. Other useful types of assessments help you identify strengths and areas for development without extensive input from others.

* Hire an external coach or consultant.
Sometimes feedback can be delivered more effectively by someone who is objective and removed from the day-to-day operations.

* Ask employees directly.
Let them know your intent is to increase your own effectiveness, not to be defensive or criticize their point of view.

* Talk to the person you report to (if anyone).
They have the responsibility to give you feedback on your performance. Request a meeting to discuss their observations.

Thank those who do give you feedback for helping you illuminate any blind spots.
Get out of the dark.

About Gayle Lantz

Company: WorkMatters
Website: http://www.workmatters.com/

Gayle Lantz is President of WorkMatters, Inc., an organizational development consulting firm that helps companies improve performance. She founded WorkMatters, based on the belief that work is one of the most important parts of life.

Gayle works with leaders, teams and groups that want to clarify their focus, increase their effectiveness and improve performance. Sample clients include organizations such as NASA, Southern Company, MassMutual Financial Group and Compass Bank.

Gayle is committed to making a positive difference at both the individual and organizational level. She brings an objective perspective and facilitative style that gets to the heart of issues quickly and stimulates action to achieve important business results.

Before starting her own business, Gayle worked in the insurance, financial services and investment industry. She most recently held an officer level position with TIAA-CREF, the world's largest private pension system.

Gayle's approach is described as engaging, substantive, positive and highly effective. Through consulting, coaching and speaking services, she helps organizations achieve impressive results related to:

Cultural change
Leadership development
Team development
Career development
Business strategy
Employee selection and retention

Gayle's articles and/or quotes have been featured in a variety of business publications including Harvard Management Update, Wall Street Journal Online, Human Resource Executive magazine, FastCompany.com and The New York Times. Organizations trust Gayle's expertise and her fresh approach to opening key conversations that lead to desired outcomes.

Gayle was recognized as one of the Top Ten Women in Business in Birmingham. She received her degree in Psychology from Emory University.