Lauren Farasati :: The Gifted Practice

The most dramatic and bewildering year we’ve experienced in our careers, mercifully, is about to end.  At a time when much seems out of our control, here are six simple things you can do to launch 2009, empowered and engaged:

1. Plan.  You may have been inconsistent about annual planning in the past, but this is a year that’s shouting for a plan.  Keep it simple so you don’t feel overwhelmed by the process. Try the “DOME” approach – Diagnose (the year that’s ending), Objectives (set measurable objectives for the new year), Methodology (identify the strategies that will produce the objective results) and Evaluation (determine the systems you’ll use to keep your plan on track).
2. Share. Once you’ve completed your business plan, share it with your team. When you communicate the big picture with staff, they feel more like partners and less like employees. While you’re at it, ask them to do a DOME plan, too.
3. Provide performance feedback.  No, you can’t just send your staff a form to fill out. You need to sit down with each employee and discuss performance.  If you don’t have a performance evaluation instrument, you can download some decent ones here for free.
4. Tie compensation to results. If you have an incentive plan, tie part of it to the objectives in your business plan so that your employees become stakeholders in growing revenue and clients.  (Check with your Compliance Officer to make sure your bonus is compliant.)
5. Say thank you to the people who look after you. It’s magic and it’s free. People will do amazing things for you if they feel valued and appreciated.
6. Be energetic.  Nobody responds to a weary leader.  Put a bounce in your step and a smile on your face.  Energy is contagious!

Happiest of holidays!

This article was posted on Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 at 8:13 am.
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