CEO Note to Self

IT'S YOUR TASK TO ASK

You just may be the dumbest person in the whole organization or the least able to learn.

The white noise that surrounds you is the roaring lack of real feedback that allows you to know your impact and adjust it.

It is your task to ask for this information and to do it in such  a way that it makes it easy for  people to talk to you honestly.  And even then  know that it is skewed information.

If someone has the nerve to come to you with  important negative feedback, then probably they have thought about it for at least three months, talked about it with at least five others for corroboration and reached the  point of talking directly with you.  The irritation or pain finally outweighed the intimidation factor.  And this is true if you are the most approachable,open and tolerant CEO.  Your position simply weights too much.  

Positive information is equally awkward for  people to give.  I mean, you are in charge of the goodies and flattery does work.  It's hard not to be seduced.  And if the positive recognition is sincere, it's harder to give for fear of being seen as kissing up.  

So my two cents is listen to the negative with a multiple of five and to the positive with a negative multiple of three.  Magnify the negative and reduce the  positive to begin to get a realistic picture.  Three for the positve because it is easier to give than the negative.  Takes less courage.

It is your job to make real conversation about the business and your impact easy and  productive.

Ask specific targeted questions about your impact.  Don't wait for the volunteer.

It really is your task to ask.