SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Over the past year Zenger Folkman has conducted various studies on how seeking feedback can increase leadership effectiveness and improve productivity. However, it seems after some leaders receive feedback on what to improve, they don’t put these suggestions into action. Feedback can’t provide value if nothing is done with it.
The main reason why leaders’ self development efforts are failing is because it is viewed as unimportant. Zenger Folkman looked at 360-degree assessments from over 50,000 leaders who ranked the importance of 16 differentiating competencies. At every management level the competency “practice self development” was ranked dead last in order of importance.
“It’s clear to me that people believe the work of the organization is more important than their personal development,” said Joe Folkman, president of Zenger Folkman. “The problem is we have compelling evidence that shows when leaders improve their personal effectiveness, the organization benefits greatly. Better leaders produce lower turnover, higher customer satisfaction and higher engagement, profitability and sales.”
How can leaders improve their self-development efforts? Zenger Folkman looked at assessment from leaders who were in the 90th percentile of effectiveness in “practices self development.” They found eight behaviors that helped these leaders be successful in this area. Here are a few of the behaviors:
- They know how to listen.
- They are open to the ideas of others.
- They are honest with themselves.
- They take time to develop others.
- They take initiative.
Folkman concluded: “We are all so busy that we get into a very reactive mode. We have to deal with hundreds of emails, rising expectations, increased competition, unforeseen problems and new stretch goals from our boss that leave very little time or energy for our own development. Your organization will be better off and you will be a more engaged employee if you carve out a small piece of time and energy for your own personal development.”
To learn more about all eight of these behaviors register for The Secret to Your Success-8 Tips for a Better You webinar on Wednesday, May 27 at 11 am MDT. For more information on these findings and how to incorporate them into a leadership development plan, visit www.zengerfolkman.com.
About:
Zenger Folkman is the authority in strengths-based leadership development. Their award-winning programs employ research-based methods that improve organizations and turn good managers into extraordinary leaders.
