Ask 3 Questions Before Taking on a New Project

Ask 3 Questions Before Taking on a New Project

Being proactive at work is generally a good thing. But if your initiative isn’t channeled in the right way, it can backfire — squandering resources and even damaging your reputation. That’s why it’s important to think carefully before taking on a project. Ask yourself three questions to help. First, “Am I the right person to lead this?” Consider whether you have the personal interest and professional expertise needed, as well as whether you can commit enough time and resources. Remember, not every problem is yours to solve. Second, “Whose support will I need?” Consider who will be affected by the project and who you’ll need on board for it to succeed. Make sure you’ll be able to get the blessing of key stakeholders. Last, “Do I understand how important this project is, or isn’t, to the company?” If an idea doesn’t align with your goals or the organization’s mission, pursuing it is likely to be a waste of time.

This tip is adapted from “When to Take Initiative at Work, and When Not To,” by Sharon K. Parker and Ying (Lena) Wang

Ask Your Employees to Give You Feedback

Ask Your Employees to Give You Feedback

Managers, your employees usually know where you need to improve. That’s valuable information for you to have as you keep growing and advancing — but are you encouraging your team to share it? Make it safe for employees to give you feedback. At team meetings, for example, you could take a moment to report on your recent work and ask people to rate your efforts. They may hesitate at first, but they’ll get more comfortable with it over time. You can also ask a candid direct report to be your coach. Meet regularly to request feedback, and be public about the commitment to show your sincerity. Whatever method you use, give examples of when you’ve gotten tough feedback in the past, to show it’s OK for employees to give it now. You might say, “I’ve heard from Marlon that I am often inaccessible because I spend a lot of time out of the office. I’m working on a plan to fix that. What else can I do to improve?” HBR