180 Day Check-In for Employees
Work and Strategic Goal Alignment
The UI has many remarkable people that can help continue to inspire you. Stories of how others make a difference can encourage and support outstanding performance.
Richard Dodson of Lee Hecht Harrison, a career services company, suggests some ways to keep you thinking about how you make a difference:
“When asked what you do, don't just share your job title. Instead, state the outcomes you produce for the company… I'm a database manager who makes sure leaders can quickly get the information they need to make good decisions”
“When someone asks, "How are you doing?" don't respond with "Fine," or worse, a complaint about being overworked. Instead, share an accomplishment or something you just learned… I'm great -- I just resolved a bug in the system that should save everyone a lot of headaches."
Resources:
Performance Expectations
Celebrate achieving 6 months of learning and growing in your new job. But learning and improving does not stop here so continue to look for ways to enhance your performance. In today's changing workplace, tasks, goals, and expectations are constantly changing. You may have inherited new projects or assignments that weren't a part of your job description. Continuing to ask for development, feedback and coaching from your supervisor regularly and throughout the year, means there should be no unwelcome surprises when it comes time for your performance review
Resources:
- Try Feedforward Instead of Feedback (pdf file)-offsite link
(Adapted from Leader to Leader, Summer 2002, by Marshall Goldsmith
Links to Soundview Executive Book Summaries web site)
Work Life and Wellness
Research has shown that we need to take care of ourselves in order to provide our best to others. If you have not already used UI Wellness services, now is the time to get "Well on Our Way."
The University offers many other services for staff to help with various personal needs. The Staff Resources Guide link will provide information about these services.
At times we may feel stressed trying to get our work done. One technique advocated in Harvard Business Review is to plan the night before what is the most important thing to get done the next day and then devote 90 minutes of uninterrupted work time to it as your first task of the work day. Turn off email, phones, and other distractions to make this work for you. After 90 minutes, take a refresher break and return to your usual activities.
Resources:
- Well On Our Way (WOOW) Program
- University of Iowa Staff Resource Guide
- Harvard Business Review web site--Take Back Your Attention
Blog: Tony Schwartz on Managing yourself, Organizational culture, Work life balance
Development
The work we do is constantly changing in order to respond to changes in the needs of those we serve, technology changes, etc. Staying current with work changes is a performance expectation of all staff. The University has many resources to assist you in your development.
Resources:
- University of Iowa Staff Resource Guide--Personal and Professional Development
- If English is not your first language and you need help communicating with your supervisor and coworkers or with training, help is available. Please visit the Staff Language and Culture Services web site for more information.