It’s Annual Review Time!

Approaching the end of the year, many of us will be looking at an upcoming professional performance review. In preparation for this, below you will find some information regarding the core competencies you may be judged on.

Flexibility

Flexibility refers to your ability to swiftly and effectively adapt to changing situations. Most successful businesses and business leaders are continuously evolving. In order to keep up, you must also show the capability to adjust and "go with the flow". This may mean learning new skills or tasks, or simply performing the same tasks in a new way. Typically, remaining rigid and stuck-in-your-ways is counterproductive.

When evaluating your own performance in this area, consider this: Do you find yourself fighting change, struggling to keep up? Do you feel uncomfortable when your routine is altered? OR do you thrive on the challenge of change and enjoy developing new processes? Whether you like it or not, flexibility is an important skill to have. Work on expanding your comfort zone and when things begin to shift, focus on easing into the transition, not struggling against it.

Organization

In this sense, organization means effective coordination and satisfactory performance of tasks within given timeframes. Meeting deadlines is an important part of organization. If you are unable to accomplish your given tasks or goals within the established deadlines, you will likely be viewed as unorganized. This is truly an aspect of effectiveness. While you may keep your office meticulously tidy and you may follow rigorous routines, if you do not produce successful results, you will not be viewed as organized or effective. It essence, "organization" truly encompasses task management, time management and materials management (paperwork, office, etc.).

Teamwork

Your ability to work effectively with others will undoubtedly be examined during your year-end review. Your attitude toward your co-workers and willingness to help out (and make occasional sacrifices for the team) will impact your scores in this area. Be prepared to discuss specific circumstances in which you actively supported the team. Remember to share credit with co-workers and emphasize your dedication to group goals. Check out 5 Tips for Better Relationships at Work for a little review.

If you are an assistant working directly with one executive, you may also be evaluated based on your interactions and ability to work cohesively in your partnership with them.

Ability to be Proactive / Anticipate Needs

A critical component of any office support role is the ability to be proactive. For a quick review of what this means, read "How to Be Proactive". This skill ensures that you are not simply reacting to situations around you, helplessly being forced to act. Instead, you are acting based on anticipated need. In order to be proactive, you must truly know your job. You must understand and be able to predict things that impact your work. This skill is more thoroughly developed with time. The more experience you have, the more likely you are to be able to effectively anticipate needs and be proactive.

Understanding of Broad Business Concepts

In my experience, it's helpful to show your overall understanding for the daily operations that happen around you. Demonstrate your awareness that your job does not exist within a bubble. Along with that, showing a firm grasp of fundamental business principles that apply to your company can really prove that you are thinking "outside the box". Study up on the key goals of the business and learn what is happening within the industry. This will give you a broad foundation for understanding the inner-workings of the business. Use your performance review as an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the future of the industry and the company, as well as your position within it.

Communication Skills

Communication is an enormous aspect of any job. How you express yourself can truly make or break you in the professional world. Consider your own communication skills when speaking with co-workers and clients. Are you polite, professional, direct, and well spoken? Do you get your point across easily or is it frustrating to explain what you really mean? Do people respond well to you? Also, be aware of your non-verbal communication - your body language for example. Do you appear approachable and willing to learn? Don't forget about your email and phone communication as well. The business world sets high standards on these forms of professional interaction. Be sure you are always pushing yourself to improve.