Reality-Based Decision Checklist
Does Your CEO Believe that You "Get It"?
CEOs talk about managers who Get It, and those who don't. Getting It means to make decisions aligned with business reality. Employees who Get It avoid getting caught up in petty issues, time-wasting processes, and personal agendas. They keep strategic and financial priorities front of mind. They are preoccupied with results.
Who do you know who is smart and experienced, but still doesn't Get It? Here's the hard part. It may be you. Looking at your ratings below, what do you think upper management says about you?
"A Hard Look at Reality" Checklist
1. I understand how our business makes money. I can read a P/L statement.
2. I align my weekly priorities with my annual objectives and boss'
objectives.
3. I feel passionate about the same priorities as my boss.
4. I make decisions based on financial/strategic/customer reality, rather than
my pet interests.
5. I embrace conflict when required.
6. I can articulate the most important needs, priorities and motives of my
peers.
7. I easily articulate my "point of view" on current business issues.
8. I have the patience to put aside my thoughts and listen to others' ideas.
9. When I face conflict with a colleague, I take the time to examine my own
contribution to the problem.
10. I avoid frustrating upper management by:
2. I align my weekly priorities with my annual objectives and boss'
objectives.
3. I feel passionate about the same priorities as my boss.
4. I make decisions based on financial/strategic/customer reality, rather than
my pet interests.
5. I embrace conflict when required.
6. I can articulate the most important needs, priorities and motives of my
peers.
7. I easily articulate my "point of view" on current business issues.
8. I have the patience to put aside my thoughts and listen to others' ideas.
9. When I face conflict with a colleague, I take the time to examine my own
contribution to the problem.
10. I avoid frustrating upper management by:
- Overanalyzing, bogging down in details
- Complaining about problems without proposing solutions
- Being cautious, timid or boring
- Getting sucked into personality conflicts
- Getting caught up with "process" rather than results
- Coming across as too slick or pretentious
11. I manage my professional image, and understand how I am
perceived if I:
- Smoke
- Am overweight or have distracting features
- Dress differently than upper management
12. I speak my mind to upper management, without being concerned about
criticism or retribution.
13. I build cooperative cross-functional alliances with my peers.
14. Upper management sees me as broad-gauged rather than specialized.
They willingly give me time on their calendars.
criticism or retribution.
13. I build cooperative cross-functional alliances with my peers.
14. Upper management sees me as broad-gauged rather than specialized.
They willingly give me time on their calendars.
