8 Ways Negative Feedback Can Lead To Greater Success At Work

• By Jacquelyn Smith, www.forbes.com
• View Original
• January 29th, 2014

Most employees loathe negative feedback. Being told that you’ve failed to meet expectations or that you’ve done something wrong at work can be a serious blow to the ego–especially if you’re used to the boss singing your praises. But criticism is an inevitable part of life in the office and you shouldn’t try to avoid it. Why? Because, as it turns out, it could be your key to success.

“Receiving negative feedback is never easy, no matter what stage of your career you’re in,” says Rebecca Thorman, a speaker, blogger, and careers writer at Kontrary.com. “It’s natural to get defensive or upset.” But the truth is, receiving negative feedback is an incredible opportunity to show your capability for learning and growth, she says. “An employee who is able to take negative feedback and act on it will likely be more valuable than an employee who never takes risks in the first place.”

If your manager or colleague is sharing feedback, whether negative or positive, it’s a sign they care about the growth and trajectory of your career. The problem is, employees tend to forget this in the heat of the moment.

“One of the biggest problems I see among employees, especially younger ones, is they take negative feedback as a personal attack,” says Eve Tahmincioglu, a career blogger, director of communications at Families and Work Institute, and author of From the Sandbox to the Corner Office.“I’ll admit, I’ve done this myself early in my career—but there’s no way to get the most out of negative remarks that way.”

Tina Nicolai, an executive career coach, says she’s seen it all when it comes to reactions to negative feedback. “Anger, denial, blame, argumentative, to name a few,” she says. “It depends a great deal on the levels of trust and communication with the supervisor; and the company culture also plays a hand in the way negative feedback is perceived.”

Some employees are amiable, she explains. “They respond to negative feedback with an acceptance of the information and may apologize immediately,” she says. “They want to keep the peace and not rock the boat.”

Others become argumentative immediately, bringing forward bottom-line results to substantiate his or her position. “This behavioral characteristic is not afraid to ‘push back’ and discuss in an open forum to prove his or her case,” Nicolai says. “This person may see the negative feedback as a challenge and immediately start working on fixing the problem.”

Many go into a state of denial or try to come up with methods to deflect the negative feedback, she adds. “Conversely, this person may also see this as a challenge and openly accept the information as he or she immediately is creating solutions on how to resolve the negative feedback for the future. This person may actually think the negative feedback is positive because it raises the bar to improve his or her performance levels.”

Then there are those who react by asking a lot of questions. “He or she wants to gain as much insight as possible to better understand the basis of the negative feedback,” Nicolai says. “This person will not have much emotion during or after receiving the information.”

She says the very best way to take negative feedback is to ask a few basic questions to show that you are genuinely interested in resolving any perceived problems. “Try to stay calm and stay focused on the negative feedback.”

Alexander Kjerulf, an international author and speaker on happiness at work, agrees. He says the best way to receive negative feedback is to listen and actually hear what’s being said. “Do not get defensive and start making excuses. Instead, you might say what you’ve learned and what you will do differently from now on.”

Tahmincioglu says the key is distancing your emotional self and “taking the remarks as you would, say, a doctor’s advice that you eat less salt, or exercise more. Or even think of it as a voice in an annoying video game,” she says. “You don’t like it when it’s telling you that you’re screwing up but you listen to the voice and try to get further in the game.”

Next, accept the negative feedback with openness and gratitude, Nicolai adds. “Even if you do not agree, you must keep in mind that feedback is intended to relay information. What you choose to do with it is your decision after the meeting. In the moment, it is advisable to say, ‘thank you’ and ‘I appreciate you taking the time to bring this to my attention.’”

Finally, you’ll want to turn this negative feedback into a positive learning opportunity.

Kjerulf says these steps only apply to constructive, well-meant criticism. “Unfair and overly negative feedback is also used as a tool by bad managers and workplace bullies to demean and control others,” he says. “Do not put up with this kind of attack. If you do, it will persist.”

Here are 8 tips for turning negative feedback into something positive:

1. Own it and hone it. Accept the feedback and make any necessary changes. “Make a list of the action items that were delivered by the boss,” Nicolai says. “Jot down in a column the solution for each negative piece of feedback. This is your planning guide. Plan your work and work your plan.” Throughout the process you should be able to sharpen your skills, gain more knowledge, and become an overall better employee.

2. Assume good intentions. Don’t automatically jump to the conclusion that the person criticizing you is “out to get you,” Kjerulf says. “Also remember that they’re criticizing your work, not you as a person. Never take negative feedback about your work as a criticism of you as a person.” Once you’re able to do this, it should be much easier to make positive changes.

3. Use negative feedback as a chance to clarify expectations and goals around your position. “Be proactive about understanding your role,” Thorman says. Maybe you didn’t completely understand what was expected of you before. Now you do, and can make improvements accordingly.

4. Treat negative feedback as an opportunity to bond with your manager, Thorman says. “Their job is to help you develop, while yours is to bring results. This is a prime opportunity to deepen your relationship.” Schedule regular meetings to discuss your progress and goals; and try to get to know your boss and understand what he or she values most in an employee.

5. Use this as an opportunity to find a mentor or strengthen your relationships with co-workers. If you’re in a situation where you need help or support—this is a great time to build those relationships.

6. Think of this as a time for self-reflection. Maybe your boss only mentioned one negative thing—but chances are, you’re not otherwise perfect. Use this opportunity to think about all the ways in which you can improve your behavior and attitude.

7. This is your chance to show that you’re open to change and capable of growth. Negative feedback is a great opportunity to show your employer that you’re mature, cooperative, and able to make necessary changes. Ask questions, but try not to question your manager’s judgment; and show how willing you are to fix any problems.

8. Remember that all constructive feedback (even negative feedback) is a sign of interest and a sign that people want to help you do better, Kjerulf says. “It would be far worse for people to notice you doing bad work, and not say a word.” If you’re successful in accepting the feedback and recognizing what it’s worth, you’ll be a much better employee.

7 Negative Attitudes Pushed By The Media

• theunboundedspirit.com
• View Original

Like it or not, we live in a media driven world. We spend 11 hours a day bombarded by television, radio, Internet, and other forms of media, a non-stop onslaught on the psyche, an ever-churning series of images, sound bites, opinions, and advertisements, but precious little substance.

The media provides shared experience, collective memory. Unfortunately, many of the ideas we’re exposed to are negative and self-defeating. The pervasiveness of these negative ideas makes them hard to ignore; easy to internalize.

If you’re curious about the cumulative effect of all this media upon the mind, here’s a list of 7 negative attitudes common in the media and tips for dealing with them.

1. Mindless Consumerism: The average American is exposed to 247 commercials everyday. Buying things has become reflex, due partly to the ideal lifestyle flickering on the television: big house, giant SUV, three-car garage, flat-panel television. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying life, but are you buying things to improve your life? Or to compensate for feelings of emptiness? Find something to believe in; fill the void with something real.

2. Poor Body Image: Never before in history have we been surrounded by so many examples of physical perfection, shaped by cosmetic surgeons, airbrushed by artists, and distributed by print and video. Remind yourself that fitness is more important than perfection.  And while it’s true that Americans outside the media are fatter than ever, even physically fit individuals struggle with a poor body image. Yes, attractiveness is an advantage, but your value runs deeper than your appearance, and those actors don’t look half as good without make-up and lighting.

3. Roaming Eye: Television gives everyone (men in particular) the idea that the world is overflowing with beautiful, willing sex partners; even if it’s true (which depends largely upon your own skills with the opposite sex), that roaming eye, that tendency to want what you don’t have, can be destructive if not monitored and controlled. Like all the elements in this list, human nature is the root here.  Remind yourself that relationships are built upon more than physical attraction.

4. Destructive Communication: Electronic media brims with insults and anger. On message boards, gentle persuasion has collapsed beneath the weight of incivility. In real life, victory is seldom obtained with witty one-liners or rude put-downs. Hone those communication skills. Learn to Persuade without offending. Connect.

5. Clique Mentality: As if cliques weren’t prevalent enough, television programs often have casts that are socially, ethnically, and racially homogenous. That’s fine; it’s free enterprise at work, for the most part, and not every story involves a melting pot. I make no bones about it; I’m simply reminding everyone not to be afraid of diversity in the real world.

6. Stereotypes: As evolved as we believe we are, television is overflowing with stereotypes: the dumb jock, the bubble-headed blonde, the geek with a pocket protector, all products of lazy writing. Most of us are smart enough to recognize a stereotype for what it is, but I question the subconscious impact of such repeated exposure. The best defense is to remind yourself that every human being deserves to be evaluated as an individual, no matter how prevalent or justified a stereotype might seem.

7. Danger Fixation: We’re wired to pay attention to danger, which is why the Discovery Channel broadcasts so many programs that show the world being destroyed by tsunamis, earthquakes, and giant asteroids; why the news leads with gunfire and bloodshed. Remind yourself that there are just as many positive forces in the world as negative; your focus on the negative is a matter of personal choice and perspective.

Listen, I’m not trying to say all media is bad; it’s not. Movies in particular can be wonderful works of art or much-needed distractions, and there’s nothing inherently evil about television, radio, print, or the internet; quite the contrary, all forms of media provide wonderful channels of communication.

Furthermore, I’m not blaming the media for anything.  I want to be clear: I do not believe there is any media conspiracy. I can attest from my days in radio that the media is simply a collection of independently owned businesses, working for profit.  An argument can be made that we have ourselves to blame for all this negative media (a solid argument indeed), and that television, radio, and print are simply providing what sells.

Of course, I agree with all of that.  But in their quest for profit, the media does pander to the lowest common denominator, like a giant lens magnifying and reflecting the darkest parts of human nature.  I’m not saying it’s wrong; I’m simply saying it is.

And we’re receptive to it.

Earlier this year, I watched a short film entitled Evidence. More art film than documentary, the film focused on the faces of a group of small children as they watched television: their blank expressions, comatose eyes. Every now and then, their facial expressions hitched in response to some image on the television, but for the most part, they appeared undead.

I’ve never forgotten that film. And now, whenever I’m watching a sitcom or gameshow, I think of the way my own face must look, staring blankly up at the glowing screen. Sometimes, this compels me to turn the tube off and go outside, exchanging the gloom of the TV room for the calming brightness of sunlight, the sound of commercials for the chirping of birds; detaching from the hive mind long enough to find some peace and quiet and develop some memories (and a few ideas) of my own.

Source: “Have You Fallen for these 7 Negative Attitudes Pushed by the Media?”, from johnplaceonline.com

Top Free Software Picks: System Maintenance Utilities

• By Eric Griffith, www.pcmag.com
• View Original
• January 29th, 2014

When you use a computer every day, you get a feel for its abilities, rhythms, and idiosyncrasies. So it always comes as a bit of a surprise when—after months or years of use—the device that previously zipped along like a puppy on speed seems to have slowed, now a geriatric hound no longer interested in chasing the ball.

There are a lot of reasons this happens. After all, when you start the computer the first time, it doesn't have much to do but boot up and glow at you. The minute you install some software, you've started the slowdown process. You fill the hard drive and use more precious RAM until the eventual corruption of the operating system, especially in the Windows registry, where all the instructions and settings used by everything on the computer are stored.

Of course, there are other reasons computers slow down; it could be simply trying to run too many programs at startup. Malware is also a big problem, so be sure you have the best antivirus solutions on hand. You may also have massive downloads happening on your system (or elsewhere on a network) that slows things to a crawl. Be aware of network usage of things like BitTorrent or streaming video.

It's also possible your old hardware simply isn't up to snuff when the time comes to running the latest software. The occasional full reinstallation of the OS might fix the issue, but there's a reason people upgrade things like RAM, hard drives, and entire computers every few years: new software gets better and better partly because it's written to work with the latest and greatest components.

We've focused here on PC slowdowns that you can fix. Most of these are problems for Windows users, but we found a couple of helpers for Mac OS X users, too. There are lots of great paid utilities out there, but don't forego the free utilities galore that help you clean up and speed up the computer. Regular system maintenance will go a long way to eking out many more years of use from your PC, so check out your options in the next few pages.

Consumers care about packaging almost as much as the brand

• By Steve Kazanjian, qz.com
• View Original
• January 18th, 2014

Your hair feels luxurious just looking at it. PRNewsFoto/Kerastase Paris

Steve Kazanjian is the vice president of global creative for MeadWestvaco, a global packaging solutions company.

In the United States, there is a growing divide in the median household income and the thickness of the American paper towel. As middle class consumers tighten their wallets, consumer brands have introduced value-priced versions of industry standards with names like “simple” and “basic.” But companies are still betting on premium products, “everyday luxury” in new household cleaners, shampoos and nutrition that cost 30-50% more.

Dubbed the “democratization of luxury,” by research firm Mintel, a new group of consumers is treating themselves in small ways by going premium on extra thick paper towels, moisturizer with anti-aging serum, and pomegranate juice instead of orange juice.

Product companies are investing in both the aesthetic and functional aspects of their packaging as a way to convey the premium luxury experience. In fact, when it comes to what’s important for overall satisfaction with a product, consumers rank packaging almost equal to the brand, according to MWV’s Packaging Matters study.

Often overlooked by brand managers, packaging can play a major role in “nonconscious priming,” the sensory and environmental factors that give consumers emotional cues on the context and “premiumness” of their experience. Lighting and scent in a hotel lobby, for example, can cue a visitor as to whether they’re about to find 600-thread-count sheets on their bed or a continental breakfast in the lobby when they wake up. The same is true for everyday products. How is it that we know artisan potato crisps are more premium than regular potato chips or that Kerastase shampoo is more high-end than Pantene? Other than cost and shelf placement, how do consumers rank a product’s premiumness and align it with their values to decide on a purchase?

• Shelf appeal: One way brands cue consumers on the premiumness of their purchase is through the shelf appeal of packaging. More than likely, those artisan crisps are in a matte finish package (instead of a bright glossy one) and the high-end shampoo is in a brushed plastic basin (instead of a shiny squirt top bottle). Visual cues like muted colors, matte finishes, and artisanal materials (like raffia) can communicate premium options. But we are still enchanted by shiny objects: Mintel calls gloss black the “workhorse of luxury packaging,” (see Chanel and Prada—skincare and fragrance lines especially) citing its use alongside photorealistic imagery as a common method of premium positioning. This is also happening in the gourmet packaged foods category.
• Function over form: Another way brands communicate everyday luxury is through the structural elements of packaging. According to MWV’s consumer satisfaction study, consumers are most focused on these functional aspects of packaging, such as maintaining freshness, portability, and ease of opening. Beyond meeting consumer expectations for function, these aspects can complete a brand promise of luxury. A sturdy handle, an easy-to-open bottle or the pressure of the dispenser can all contribute to an image of quality craftsmanship and luxury.
• “Sounds good:” Sensory aspects of packaging are important, too. In an article about using sound to convey luxury, Wall Street Journal reporter Ellen Byron suggested, “the small sounds consumer products make—whether a snap, click, rustle or pop—can be memorable and deeply satisfying, often suggesting luxury, freshness, effectiveness or security.” In the beverage category, Snapple has perfected the auditory seal of quality with its signature click top cap.
• The magic touch: The sense of touch has long represented luxury—the softness of cashmere, the smoothness of Italian leather, the sturdiness of fine furniture. In the fragrance industry, MWV is focused on enhancing the consumer experience through the spray. Consumers have told us that the spray experience—the atomization, how the fragrance touches their skin, the sound—can elevate their perception of luxury and strengthen their emotional connection to a brand.

We welcome your comment at ideas@qz.com.

Start your days with the latest intelligence on the new global economy with theQuartz Daily Brief. Follow us on Twitter @qz. Read more at qz.com.

15 Great Pieces Of Life Advice That Never Get Old

• By Max Nisen, www.businessinsider.in
• View Original

Nathalie Kosciusko Morizet via flickr --

The great benefit of living with, working for, or being related to people who have experienced more of life than you have is picking their brain for advice.

The most effective people learn from their own mistakes, and make a significant effort to learn from other people's errors as well.

A recent Quora thread asked users for the best advice they've ever gotten.

Here are a few of the greatest excerpts, lightly edited for clarity:

Never say "but."

"A very smart woman I worked with once told me that if I eliminated the word 'but' from my professional vocabulary, I'd find greater acceptance for my ideas, and greater cooperation from my team members... The word 'but' negates everything that precedes it, and you cast a negative spin on anything you say when you use it... 'But' is exclusive and isolating; 'and' is inclusive and welcoming." -Quora user Marsha Browne

You never get anything unless you ask.

"It was a professor in my university, but I believe its origin is from somebody famous: If you don't ask, the answer is always 'no'." -Quora user Joe Yasman

Think before you complain.

"Don't complain. I think it was phrased as something like, 'Do you ever listen to someone complaining and think, This is a great conversation!?' Being negative doesn't help others, and it doesn't help you." -Quora userSteve Carnagua

Time is the one thing you never get back.

"A mentor I had some years ago told me that time is the one thing that you can never get back. If you look at it as an asset, you can donate it, spend it, or waste it. Whatever you do with it, it is gone once it passes." -Quora user Karen Meyer

Attitude is more important than talent.

Attitude helps you solve problems talent cannot. Attitude helps you navigate through problem talent hides." -Quora user Vamsi Uppala

Quality is always greater than quantity.

"If you're going to do something, do it well enough to avoid doing it the second time. Going back to do something the second time is a time-waster if you knew it can be done right the first time. Even writing this post, I'm putting in my best effort into editing it, explaining it, and making it easy and enjoyable to read - to avoid going back and fixing any grammatical errors." -Quora user Dennis Do

Be reliable.

"Do what you say you're going to do." -Quora user Blake Alexander

Do the right thing.

"Advice from Charlie Munger (not proffered personally): The safest way to try to get what you want is to try to deserve what you want." -Quora userJosh Tarasoff

Slow down.

"When I was in my 20s I worked as a waiter at a very popular restaurant. I found it very difficult to keep up with the orders and, consequently, my tips were very low.

One of the very experienced servers took me aside and she said, 'Slow down and take longer steps. You'll feel more relaxed and your customers will see that and trust you.'

If you slow down, you have time to think and plan better. Taking longer steps means more than just how you move through a space. It's about looking ahead and covering more ground, encompassing more than just the task at hand." -Quora user Gordon Bennet

Everyone ends up in the same place.

"'At the end of the game, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.' -Italian Proverb

When you really think about this, in the end we all end up the same. You can't take your money and fame with you after you die." -Quora userFelix Wong

Time is not money. It's better.

"Always choose time over money. Contrary to what people say, time is not money. Time is much much more than money. At the end of your life, it's guaranteed you will be out of time and more than likely out of money as well, if you didn't value time." -Quora user Navin Uttam

Don't worry what other people think.

"Stop being so self-conscious because absolutely nobody is paying any attention to you anyway - they are only paying attention to themselves." -Quora user Michael Wolfe

You can't truly control anything but how well you do things.

"To find happiness in life's tasks, invest in the process (which you can control), not in the outcome (which is largely out of your control)." -Quora user Mark Hurley

Listen.

"God gave you two ears and one mouth; use them proportionally." -Quora user Derrick Mayfield

Take risks when you can.

"On deciding whether to step off my career track in my mid-20s to live abroad for a year: 'You have the rest of your life to work. You'll be working for 40 years. I don't know why we were in such a hurry when we were young.' I took the year off." -Quora user Deborah 

An Open Letter From Dylan Farrow

• By Dylan Farrow, mobile.nytimes.com
• View Original
• February 1st, 2014

Dylan FarrowPhoto by: Frances Silver

(A note from Nicholas Kristof: In 1993, accusations that Woody Allen had abused his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow, filled the headlines, part of a sensational story about the celebrity split between Allen and his girlfriend, Mia Farrow. This is a case that has been written about endlessly, but this is the first time that Dylan Farrow herself has written about it in public. It’s important to note that Woody Allen was never prosecuted in this case and has consistently denied wrongdoing; he deserves the presumption of innocence. So why publish an account of an old case on my blog? Partly because the Golden Globe lifetime achievement award to Allen ignited a debate about the propriety of the award. Partly because the root issue here isn’t celebrity but sex abuse. And partly because countless people on all sides have written passionately about these events, but we haven’t fully heard from the young woman who was at the heart of them. I’ve written a column about this, but it’s time for the world to hear Dylan’s story in her own words.)

What’s your favorite Woody Allen movie? Before you answer, you should know: when I was seven years old, Woody Allen took me by the hand and led me into a dim, closet-like attic on the second floor of our house. He told me to lay on my stomach and play with my brother’s electric train set. Then he sexually assaulted me. He talked to me while he did it, whispering that I was a good girl, that this was our secret, promising that we’d go to Paris and I’d be a star in his movies. I remember staring at that toy train, focusing on it as it traveled in its circle around the attic. To this day, I find it difficult to look at toy trains.

For as long as I could remember, my father had been doing things to me that I didn’t like. I didn’t like how often he would take me away from my mom, siblings and friends to be alone with him. I didn’t like it when he would stick his thumb in my mouth. I didn’t like it when I had to get in bed with him under the sheets when he was in his underwear. I didn’t like it when he would place his head in my naked lap and breathe in and breathe out. I would hide under beds or lock myself in the bathroom to avoid these encounters, but he always found me. These things happened so often, so routinely, so skillfully hidden from a mother that would have protected me had she known, that I thought it was normal. I thought this was how fathers doted on their daughters. But what he did to me in the attic felt different. I couldn’t keep the secret anymore.

When I asked my mother if her dad did to her what Woody Allen did to me, I honestly did not know the answer. I also didn’t know the firestorm it would trigger. I didn’t know that my father would use his sexual relationship with my sister to cover up the abuse he inflicted on me. I didn’t know that he would accuse my mother of planting the abuse in my head and call her a liar for defending me. I didn’t know that I would be made to recount my story over and over again, to doctor after doctor, pushed to see if I’d admit I was lying as part of a legal battle I couldn’t possibly understand. At one point, my mother sat me down and told me that I wouldn’t be in trouble if I was lying – that I could take it all back. I couldn’t. It was all true. But sexual abuse claims against the powerful stall more easily. There were experts willing to attack my credibility. There were doctors willing to gaslight an abused child.

After a custody hearing denied my father visitation rights, my mother declined to pursue criminal charges, despite findings of probable cause by the State of Connecticut – due to, in the words of the prosecutor, the fragility of the “child victim.” Woody Allen was never convicted of any crime. That he got away with what he did to me haunted me as I grew up. I was stricken with guilt that I had allowed him to be near other little girls. I was terrified of being touched by men. I developed an eating disorder. I began cutting myself. That torment was made worse by Hollywood. All but a precious few (my heroes) turned a blind eye. Most found it easier to accept the ambiguity, to say, “who can say what happened,” to pretend that nothing was wrong. Actors praised him at awards shows. Networks put him on TV. Critics put him in magazines. Each time I saw my abuser’s face – on a poster, on a t-shirt, on television – I could only hide my panic until I found a place to be alone and fall apart.

Last week, Woody Allen was nominated for his latest Oscar. But this time, I refuse to fall apart. For so long, Woody Allen’s acceptance silenced me. It felt like a personal rebuke, like the awards and accolades were a way to tell me to shut up and go away. But the survivors of sexual abuse who have reached out to me – to support me and to share their fears of coming forward, of being called a liar, of being told their memories aren’t their memories – have given me a reason to not be silent, if only so others know that they don’t have to be silent either.

Today, I consider myself lucky. I am happily married. I have the support of my amazing brothers and sisters. I have a mother who found within herself a well of fortitude that saved us from the chaos a predator brought into our home.

But others are still scared, vulnerable, and struggling for the courage to tell the truth. The message that Hollywood sends matters for them.

What if it had been your child, Cate Blanchett? Louis CK? Alec Baldwin? What if it had been you, Emma Stone? Or you, Scarlett Johansson? You knew me when I was a little girl, Diane Keaton. Have you forgotten me?

Woody Allen is a living testament to the way our society fails the survivors of sexual assault and abuse.

So imagine your seven-year-old daughter being led into an attic by Woody Allen. Imagine she spends a lifetime stricken with nausea at the mention of his name. Imagine a world that celebrates her tormenter.

Are you imagining that? Now, what’s your favorite Woody Allen movie?

© 2014 The New York Times Company.

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The Only Interview Question That Matters BY Lou Adler

• By Lou Adler, www.inc.com
• View Original
• February 1st, 2014

Advertisement

Last week, LinkedIn announced to the world that I've been in the recruiting industry for 36 years. During that time, I've written a number of books about talent challenges and opportunities, but one thing continues to surprise me: More than 90 percent of hiring managers think they're good interviewers, yet rarely do they reach unanimous hiring decisions with other 90 percenters in the same room evaluating the same candidate.

This realization led me on a quest to find the one interview question that would yield universal agreement from hiring managers. It took 10 years of trial and error, but I eventually found it. Here's it is:

What single project or task would you consider your most significant accomplishment in your career to date?

To see why this simple question is so powerful, imagine you're the candidate and I've just asked you this question. What accomplishment would you select?

Then imagine that over the course of the next 15-20 minutes I asked you the following follow-up questions. How would you respond?

• Can you give me a detailed overview of the accomplishment?
• Tell me about the company, your title, your position, your role, and the team involved.
• What were the actual results achieved?
• When did it take place and how long did the project take?
• Why were you chosen?
• What were the 3-4 biggest challenges you faced and how did you deal with them?
• Where did you go the extra mile or take the initiative?
• Walk me through the plan, how you managed it, and its measured success.
• Describe the environment and resources.
• Explain your manager's style and whether you liked it.
• What were the technical skills needed to accomplish the objective and how were they used?
• What were some of the biggest mistakes you made?
• What aspects of the project did you truly enjoy?
• What aspects did you not especially care about and how did you handle them?
• Give examples of how you managed and influenced others.
• How did you change and grow as a person?
• What you would do differently if you could do it again?
• What type of formal recognition did your receive?

With an accomplishment big enough, and answers detailed enough to fill 20 minutes, this one line of questioning can tell an interviewer everything he or she needs to know about a candidate. The insight gained is remarkable. But the real secret ingredient is not the question; that's just a setup. The most important elements are the details underlying the accomplishment. This is what real interviewing is about -- delving into the details.

Don't spend time asking clever interview questions; instead, spend time learning to get the answer to just this one question. Then ask it again and begin to connect the dots. After you hire a few people this way, you'll also call it the most important interview question of all time.

Last updated: Feb 1, 2014

LOU ADLER is the CEO of The Adler Group, a consulting firm helping companies implement performance-based hiring. His latest book, The Essential Guide for Hiring & Getting Hired (Workbench, 2013), covers the performance-based process described in this article in more depth. Lou is one of LinkedIn’s top 20 Influencers, has appeared on Fox News and is frequently quoted in Business Insider, The Wall Street Journal and recruiting industry trade publications around the world.

@LouA