A whole new take on the 80/20 rule

Do 80% of us think we are in the top 20% of performers? It's actually worse. Check out this post by Rob over at Businesspundit.

I think this is true - a lot of managers, perhaps most to some degree, lack an accurate view of their work. Many do not know the poor reputations they have built.

How can we tell? How ought we know? Why would we want to feel like anything but a top performer?

I am all for glass-is-half-full optimism, but if you are not held in high regard, your ignorance might just cost you your job or that promotion you desire.

Are their signs? Yes, I think there are signs. Here are just a couple:

Your work load is being adjusted - down.
You have been reassigned on a couple projects.
You are not being invited to as many meetings (this is also a blessing, but you need to determine the motive).
At meetings, people seem dismissive of your ideas.
You do not feel heard.
You have applied and have been passed up for promotions.
Your performance reviews contain a lot of weasel words.

And then there are the more objective signs:

You do not complete projects on time.
You do not stay within budget.
You have high turnover in your group.
Your work processes are not efficient.
You office looks like a tornado hit it after a flood.
You are late to meetings.
Your team's results are average or less.

How many of these indicators apply to you? Sure there may be other reasons for being late or missing a deadline or getting a project pulled away, but if more than one of these signs applies to you, you might want to investigate further to determine your reputation in the company.