Comments on: Effective Leadership: How Do You Know When You Are Getting It Right?

By: Fred Schlegel

Fred Schlegel — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:53:46 +0000

Given your description of bosses who blindly walk around listening to the cheering I would simply add, ‘You discover a healthy amount of criticism.’ Seldom can you please all the people all the time, if no complaints reach your ears, ever, then your ears aren’t on.

By: Art Petty

Art Petty — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:43:39 +0000

Eric, I’m honored that you commented and indebted that you were one of the leaders that sought and accepted feedback. Thank you! -Art

By: Eric Lieberman

Eric Lieberman — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:41:15 +0000

Just for the record: Art never had a problem giving me honest feedback when we worked together at Firstlogic (now a part of SAP). It was feedback I always valued – and it helped make me a better leader! He know of what he speaks! – Eric

By: Mark Allen Roberts

Mark Allen Roberts — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:01:15 +0000

Big AMEN on this post,

I just posted: What if you could have a daily tracking poll for your customer satisfaction like the Rasmussen Presidential Approval Index?…You Can! http://nosmokeandmirrors.wordpress.com/2009/07/09/what-if-you-could-have-a-daily-tracking-poll-for-your-customer-satisfaction-like-the-rasmussen-presidential-approval-index-you-can/ discussing the value to your business in having timely feedback.
Your seven indicators are awesome. When I wrote Is your leadership in a holding pattern while your team runs out of gas? http://nosmokeandmirrors.wordpress.com/2009/07/09/is-your-leadership-in-a-holding-pattern-while-your-team-runs-out-of-gas/ I discussed the importance of leaders knowing their roles and stepping up, and what happens if they don’t.
(Sorry for two links in one comment, but I am very passionate about this subject)
Awesome content!
Mark

By: Wally Bock

Wally Bock — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:14:21 +0000

Great post, Art. You hit three key points.

First, any report you get from someone who works for you is filtered through their self-interest. It’s human nature.

Second, your job is to create a great working environment. To do that you have to keep checking out the condition of the place.

Third, you have to seek out good feedback. One way to do that is to provide your own. In the Working Supervisor’s Support Kit, I encourage bosses to get in the habit of critiquing their own performance. That’s what the great ones do.