MONTHLY WORDS OF WISDOM

OCTOBER 1999

HOW WELL DO YOU & YOUR BOSS COMMUNICATE

Here's a quick way to measure the quality of your communication with your boss.  Read the following questions and circle either A (for agree) or D (for disagree). 

A         D            1.  I can ask for help without feeling embarrassed. 

A         D            2.  My boss recognizes the good things I do. 

A         D            3.  I understand what my boss expects of me. 

A         D            4.  My boss coaches me toward improvement when I need it. 

A         D            5.  I am aware of the reasons for the major decisions my boss has made this year. 

A         D            6.  My boss understands my personal goals. 

A         D            7.  I know at least two specific things I can do to get a better rating at my next performance review. 

A         D            8.  My boss lets me know when I miss the mark, but without putting me down. 

A         D            9.  I feel free to disagree with my boss when we talk. 

A         D          10.  My boss is aware of the basic problems I have to cope with in doing my job.

Now count up the numbers of A's you circled.  If you've got 10, your communication with your boss is just about perfect.
9 or 8, good.  7 or 6, about average.  5 or less, needs improvement.

The above exercise is used as a handout after discussions on leadership topics in our Project Management & Control course.  It is a "take home" exercise which we hope will stimulate thinking about the 10 points on the page .Our courses stress communication as well as methods and techniques for the Systems Analysts, Project Leader, or Manager.  If you or your people have problems with Users, Management, or team members, you should consider our training courses. Comments on this month's Words of Wisdom, or our courses, are always welcome to Paul Saunders at 615-367-1717 or  Paul@SaundersSystems.com