Gauging Performance

As local government managers, we are often moving swiftly to one activity to another.  Council or Board meeting.  Legislative or intergovernmental affairs activities.  Personnel or union matters. Financial report.  Big picture and strategic planning items. And back and forth again throughout the day, week and month - often not spending time to reflect on how the leadership and management work is doing. 

How do we gauge our performance as a leader?   Here are three simple strategies.  1) Check in with your Board or Council.  Your contract may cover a formal performance plan/review but this is informal. Do timely meet-ups to solely talk about how they see things going.  The problem with the once-a-year appraisal process is that…it’s once-a-year.  2) Sample the feedback comments from key department leaders you can trust.  These are your key and critically important team members that make you “look good.”  While they report to you, trust should be present enough that they feel comfortable and open to providing candid feedback and commentary. 3) Discuss your ask for inputs with others in the field.  How does your brethren see you?  Say you’re trying to ascertain outside perceptions of your leadership.  Garner their takes and use the input as you will from the internal team.