Feedback Loop

What do you do regularly to improve the way your team operates?

Well, I have a coach. I have an executive coach. I spend time with him talking about what my thoughts are, how can we have our team better. He helps work with my team, we sit down, we work collaborative with the team to help build the team and help us be much more effective. We talked about my shortcomings. He interviews others about what they've seen in my behaviors that I can improve upon. He talks to my board, the executive committee of my board to be able to talk to them about what they see, that helps me improve.

So you actively seek feedback yourself as a leader?

Absolutely. You have to. I mean, let's be honest, we're all are blind. We all think we are the greatest manager in the world, but the reality is we have deficiencies. We're not perfect human beings. Our ability to reach out to get feedback from others about what they see in our behaviors is the only way we can improve.

But not all leaders seek feedback. I mean, I've seen it over many jobs in the past, and they don't want to hear your feedback. Why do you think some leaders are so reluctant to seek out feedback?

You know, that's a very interesting question. But also, I think if you are about being better, you would seek feedback. I think they're fearful of it. I don't know where their management schools, I can't comment on where there manager school training came from. But it's just like any -- if you're dealing with customers or members, you want to get feedback from them so how you can be better. Same thing happens from a manager's perspective. We have a board of directors and I have them have an executive session without me in the room every meeting, because I want them to talk freely about what they see in the organization, what they see about me. The only requirement that I have with my chairperson is that if there's something significant, then you should let me know within 24 hours. I want them to have feedback. I don't need to be in the room. I'm pretty confident and comfortable. And I say this, I'm very comfortable in my own skin and I'm open to feedback.