From feedback to fast forward - SAC Model

“Feedback is the breakfast of champions” Ken Blenchard

In a more challenging and dynamic world, we all need to keep improving. Nowadays, if you blink, you lag behind! Constantly developing ourselves is becoming more crucial than ever before. Holding a bachelor or master’s degree from a reputable university is not enough anymore. Participating in training programs and workshops is becoming essential.

There are various ways of learning new skills or enhancing existing ones, but we first need to discover our strengths and weaknesses. Self-discovery and self-development are crucial to shine and succeed in the business environment. We think we know ourselves well but it is not true. We always have a lot of self-discovery to do.

Self-discovery is mainly completed through the following:

1. Life, time, and experiences
2. Personality tests; go now and do one. Don’t forget to check its reliability and validity
3. Feedback received from others. The upcoming paragraphs are about this important point.

When I was revising Johari window a few years ago, I created SAC model which is a practical tool to overcome the blind spot/quadrant that we all have; the things that we don’t know about ourselves. To uncover these areas and discover ourselves more, we need to:

Seek:

The red traffic light = stop or pause.

1. Seek feedback. Choose 5 people from your professional network and 5 people from your personal network.

• Personally, I do it every year with the following 10 people:
  • a. Wife
  • b. Best friend
  • c. Close relative
  • d. Current direct manager
  • e. Two Direct reports (replace them with peers if you don’t have a team reporting to you)
  • f. Two peers/colleagues
  • g. Internal/external customer
  • h. Previous colleague or manager

2. Make sure they know you well and they are in a position to give you feedback.

3. Explain that you need their objective feedback about your personality traits and skills by mentioning 3 positive things that you are doing well and 3 negative things that you need to improve. Make sure to follow through with them keeping in mind their schedules.

4. Compile the results into one table by plotting the results into 2 columns; positive and negative. Then highlight the repetitive words if you wish

Accept:

The orange traffic light = get ready to move forward.

The 3 positive things are amazing for the Ego and to benefit from them in your career/life. However, the 3 negative things are more important because you have to overcome them.

Please remember that no one is perfect and accept it! How people/others perceive you is as important as how you perceive yourself. Feedback is extremely valuable.

Change:

The green traffic light = move forward by taking some actions.

1. Reflect on the table/results and create an action plan. You might not be able to change everything so be realistic.

2. Draw an action plan table with the following columns:

• a. What will you change = the negative things
• b. How will you change each one = Training? Coaching? Mentoring? On the job? Remember that Meirc team will be happy to help if needed ☺
• c. When will you change it
• d. Who will help you change it

Similar to financial statements and budgets, you will be able to compare year to year results later and take corrective actions!

This is what I call “from feedback to fast forward”. Applying SAC model will lead to tremendous improvements and career jumps in your life as it did in mine. Moreover, it will improve your relationship with your loved ones.

My son is now 13 years old, and I am planning to seek his feedback for the first time in applying SAC model. So remember that you can keep changing the list of people who will give you feedback.

Go on now and explore the beauty and power of the SAC model.

Being a successful team member or leader is not easy. Apply the above and you will notice a huge difference during a short period of time.