10 Questions You Must Ask to
Optimize Performance
By Barbara Brown, Ph.D.

You have heard the phrase work that gets measured, gets done.  The reason measured work gets done is because it gets attention. If the hallmark of your organization involves timely and accurate information, these practices get the most attention.  The goals in your strategic plan must reflect these practices, so too should the goals in your employees' performance plans.  

Think about the mission and vision of the organization.  Identify the practices most critical to bottom-line results.  These are the priorities that should dictate resource allocations and all related activities. Employees are highly committed to make significant contributions when a clear connection among organization practices, performance objectives, and personal recognition is evident. That's how employees discern priorities.  Use the following questions to create a culture that produces the greatest results for your organization:

1. What are the top five strategic goals?
2. What practices and behaviors are critical to the achievement of these goals?
3. Do all employees know these critical practices and behaviors?
4. Are we spending enough time performing activities related to these goals?
5. Are we utilizing resources in ways linked to these goals?
6. Do workflow processes permit efficient and effective achievement of these goals?
7. Are we developing, recruiting, and retaining the kind of talent necessary for the achievement of these goals?
8. Have we established measures to monitor progress?
9. Do we have a method for sharing measurement results with individuals?
10. Is there a system for monitoring individuals performance directly associated with the attainment of these goals?

See companion self-development tool: Connections That Count  

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PERMISSION TO REPRINT: Articles, Tips, and Tools can be reprinted in company newsletters or magazines. If placed electronically, a Live Link to Dr. Brown's website must be included. Please use the following credit for every item: Dr. Barbara Brown shows organizations how to use High-Performance Leadership to create the kind of links among people, goals & performance that produce positive results. For more tips, visit: www.DrBarbaraBrown.com or email: Barbara@DrBarbaraBrown.com.