Questions to Ask if You Think You're Lacking at Work
"All of us encounter stubborn performance problems in our work from time to time. Some tasks or responsibilities are more challenging than others, at least at first. But even if you and your manager have been diligent in addressing performance issues as they arise, sometimes we encounter a problem that resists even the best training. At that point, you may be wondering, “What’s wrong with me?”
First, pause and take a moment to reevaluate your approach thus far. Nearly all performance issues are the result of three root causes: ability, skill, and motivation.
Here are some self-reflection prompts to help you evaluate for yourself whether a persistent performance problem is a matter of ability, skill, or motivation.
Ability
- What are my natural strengths that are applicable to my current tasks and responsibilities and projects?
- How am I applying those strengths?
- What are my relative weaknesses?
- How can I better leverage my strengths?
- How can I better plan around, bolster, or otherwise mitigate my weaknesses?
Skill
- What are key technical skills applicable to my current tasks and responsibilities and projects? How am I applying or demonstrating those skills?
- What are my relative technical skill gaps?
- How can I better leverage my skills?
- How can I bridge any technical skill gaps I’ve identified?
- What are key soft skills applicable to my current tasks and responsibilities and projects? How am I applying or demonstrating those skills?
- What are my relative soft skill gaps? How can I bridge those soft skill gaps?
Motivation
- What is my current motivation level: high, medium, or low?
- What motivates me?
- What can I do to get more of what motivates me at work?
- What de-motivates me?
- What can I do to avoid those things that de-motivate me at work?"
Read the full article on Psychology Today
✨Takeaway: Performance problems are common in the workplace. Evaluating the root of what is causing you to lack, can help you get back on track.
✨Reflection: How do you find motivation for work?
#Career #Work #Job #Motivation #Performance
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Very informative post! What if the performance levels are lacking from your colleagues instead? Needing to pick up their slack on top of being productive ourselves already.
@Jaeteuk
That’s a good point!
Hmm. I think in instances like that communication is key. Constructive feedback is always helpful. As long as it’s delivered nicely! 💜
Sadly I can't communicate directly with my colleagues, because they all have much more years of experience under their belt than I. They don't really follow the standards anymore, and just all have their own ways of working. While I on the other hand, like following standards and directions, or, what I have been taught and trained by people who are retired now, but have much more experience than them. So now, I pick off their slack quietly, but I will still say something if my Manager asks. Because it's not fair when as a team, I'm helping out every other person, and they aren't even doing their parts fully. Yet, complain about it when I ask them for help (which isn't often because I don't want to hear them complain about it). I will only ask for help if I need to get several things done at once.
