End-of-Week: People Leadership Mastery: Weekly Effectiveness Checkpoint
As a people manager, our responsibilities are vast and can sometimes overwhelm us amidst deadlines and project demands. It's essential to pause, reflect, and ensure we stay true to the core of effective leadership.
To help me (and you) thrive as a people leader, I've designed a pragmatic and comprehensive end-of-week reflection checklist that I refer to every Friday morning. It provides me with valuable insights into my performance, and keeps me accountable for taking tactical actions to enhance my effectiveness before the week ends.
I have a reoccuring block in my calendar on friday mornings called ‘people leadership powerup’. It is set to 30 mins which allows 10 mins to do the reflection and 20 mins to take the actions afterwards.
End-of-week reflection checklist
Communication:
Did I effectively communicate all relevant information to my team and stakeholders this week?
Did I actively listen to my team's perspectives, encouraging open dialogue and valuing their input?
Are there any team members left awaiting updates on initiatives or tasks under my responsibility?
Team Recognition and Feedback:
Did I seize all opportunities to acknowledge and appreciate my team's hard work and accomplishments this week?
Were there moments when I could have provided more timely and constructive feedback?
Empowerment and Development:
Did I maintain a coaching approach throughout the week, empowering my team members to take ownership of their work?
Are there tasks on my plate that could have been better delegated to others, fostering their growth and development?
Have I identified growth opportunities for individual team members and provided the necessary support to pursue them?
Team Engagement & Inclusivity:
Did I proactively foster an inclusive culture by making space for relationship-building activities within the team?
Did I actively encourage collaboration, ensuring that everyone's contributions were respected and valued?
Have I created a safe and calm environment for my team to thrive and express their ideas freely?
Work-Life Balance and Wellbeing:
Have I encouraged and supported my team in maintaining a healthy work-life balance throughout the week?
Did I prioritize their physical and mental wellbeing by promoting self-care and stress management?
My Own Balance:
Have I actively sought feedback from my team and peers about my leadership and areas for improvement?
Am I effectively managing my workload and staying within a balanced threshold for work commitments?
Am I maintaining my own work-life balance and prioritizing my physical and mental wellbeing?
Next Steps (after reflection):
Identify 3 quick actions you can take today before the week ends to enhance your leadership and better support your team.
Determine 1 key area you want to focus on and improve next week to address any gaps or challenges and elevate your leadership impact.
This end-of-week reflection checklist empowers you to consistently nurture a positive work environment, support your team's growth, and refine your leadership approach. Remember, the journey of growth and improvement is ongoing, and with each week's end, you'll inch closer to becoming an even more impactful and inspiring leader