You may think you already know how others view you—as a skilled facilitator or a manager who always brings out the best in her team—but you might be surprised. To find out what people really think, try these three things:
Seek out patterns in your paper trail. Look at past performance reviews or recommendations letters. What do people consistently say about you?
Examine your online presence. Google yourself. If there are any damaging or erroneous links, it's better to find out now (so you can take action), rather than having a potential client or employer discover them.
Conduct your own 360 review. Individually invite trusted colleagues, your boss, and your employees out for coffee. Tell them you're working to raise the bar professionally, and ask for their honest feedback: What do you do well? Where could you grow?
Source: Today's Management Tip was adapted from “You're Probably Wrong About How Others Really See You” by Dorie Clark.