20 areas of improvement examples at work

9. Decision-making skills

No matter the role, decision-making skills are essential. You want to make good decisions regardless of your decision making style.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Do you make sound decisions?
• Do you have an established and transparent decision-making process?
• Do you make a choice in a timely manner, or is it a long and drawn-out ordeal?
• Do you trust your decision-making, or do you second-guess yourself?
• Do you make decisions that are aligned with the company’s mission and values?

10. Goal setting and achievement

Without goals, you will become aimless and stagnant. Setting and achieving goals is essential to professional development. It's important to define your own SMART goals. Or better yet, focus on goals with F4S and then start a coaching program such as Goal Catcher—90% of users complete their goal at the end of the program!

Here are some questions to ask:

• Do you set realistic and measurable goals for yourself?
• Do you strive to achieve them?
• Do you seek out the resources you’ll need to reach your goals?
• Do you set a deadline by which to achieve these goals?
• Are these goals also beneficial to the company?

11. Empathy

Empathy is a sought-after "soft skill" for good reason. One benefit is that it can improve company retention rates. Empathy is a critical skill for managers too. Showing empathy will make people feel valued.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Do you try to understand the other person’s point of view?
• Do you have the emotional intelligence to recognize your own and others' feelings?
• Do you respond with compassion, or do you immediately criticize?
• Do you have active listening skills?

12. Creative skills

Creativity refers to the novel ways you carry out a project or solve a problem. Creativity helps every company stand out and enhances customer service. Using creativity is linked with a higher level of problem-solving skills.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Do you try to find new ways to solve a problem, or do you stick to old ways?
• Do you suggest ideas during meetings?
• Do you have a strong big picture vision for your work?
• Are you imaginative during the brainstorming process?

13. Job knowledge

You were hired for a specific role. You need to make sure you have the knowledge to do the wide range of tasks listed in your job description.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Are you aware of the expectations and duties relevant to your job?
• Do you display the necessary knowledge and skills to fulfill these duties?
• Are you aware of your own shortcomings?
• Do you attempt to stay up-to-date on new developments, industry trends, and technical skills?
• Do you reach out for help if you lack resources?

14. Productivity

Productivity levels refer to the amount of work done and how well you utilize your time. Valuable team members are effective contributors, even in difficult times.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Do you fulfill expectations and/or quotas for your role?
• Do you remain focused on your work?
• Do you maximize the tools and resources available to you?
• Do you try to accomplish tasks using the most efficient method?

15. Quality of work

Quality of work assesses the accuracy and excellence of the work you produce. You may be very productive in the sense that you make a lot of something, but what you deliver may be low quality.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Do you hold your work to a high standard of excellence?
• How well do you follow guidelines, procedures, and standards?
• Do you pay close attention to detail?
• Do you produce minimal errors and defects?
• Do you keep up with the latest news and best practices in your field?
• Are your team members and managers satisfied with your work?

16. Dependability

Dependability means you can be relied upon to do what you say you’ll do. It is an essential skill for any employee to have.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Do you follow through on your promises?
• How well do you manage your workload?
• Do you show up to work and meetings on time?
• Do you hold yourself accountable to your commitments?
• Do your coworkers believe they can rely on you?
• How well do you manage your work-life balance?

17. Adaptability skills

While every job comes with a description, every role can expand into new areas. This is especially true for a successful career at startups, where things change quickly. For that reason, employees must be flexible.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Do you remain calm and flexible in the face of unexpected change?
• Are you willing to learn as you go?
• Do you adjust to changing circumstances with relative ease?
• Do you approach a change in plans with an open mind?
• How well do you embrace new challenges and opportunities?
• How well do you learn from your mistakes and failures?

18. Interpersonal skills

Interpersonal skills allow you to interact with others through words and body language. These skills also allow individuals to build relationships with others. They affect how well people work with others in a team setting. Great interpersonal skills are demonstrated through words and positive body language. You can develop these skills with the free F4S coaching program, Increase Emotional Intelligence.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Do you practice active listening in the workplace?
• Do you show empathy towards colleagues and clients?
• Do you make eye contact during meetings and conversations?
• How well do you adapt the way you talk to different people?
• Do you use body language and facial expressions to clarify your message?

19. Organization

Strong organizational skills are essential for maximizing workplace productivity and efficiency. Many techniques can aid in organization. Organization skills include the ALPEN method, making lists, scheduling tasks, and Trello boards. Learning to be organized can set employees up for success and help the team as a whole work better.

Here are some questions to ask:

• How well do you manage your time?
• How well do you stay on top of your tasks and responsibilities?
• How well do you plan and prepare for meetings and other events?
• Do you use any tools or systems to stay organized?
• How do you keep track of deadlines and ensure they’re met?
• How well do you handle multiple tasks and projects at once?

20. Problem-solving

To solve a problem well, you have to look at the situation, think about your options, and choose the best one. These skills help you handle challenging situations and find creative solutions. Strong problem-solving skills can be very helpful at work. These traits are important for the growth and success of an organization. They're also crucial for conflict resolution skills and leadership roles.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Do you actively seek out solutions to problems you encounter at work?
• Do you take a systematic approach to problem-solving?
• Do you involve others in the problem-solving process?
• Do you look at problems and think about how to solve them in more than one way?
• Do you follow through on your chosen solutions and track their effectiveness?

Showing examples in your employee performance review

Now that you've thought about the key areas of improvement, be sure to have examples to back them up. Think about some key examples that demonstrate the areas in which you thrive - and even the areas in which you can still improve. It's a strength to know your weaknesses, especially if you're aiming to improve them.

How to improve work skills

So how do you get started?

Take the F4S assessment so you can learn more about your strengths and your blind spots. The blind spots will identify areas where continued learning can help so you can set clearer goals.

Your area of focus will be highly dependent on your personal goals. That's why we leverage our AI Coach Marlee, who will share personalized coaching plans to support your success.

Whether you want to be a strong leader, improve your conflict management skills, use more creative thinking, or reduce your stress levels, F4S can help.

What are your weak points and areas for improvement?

Once you've taken the F4S assessment you'll see the results of the 48 workplace traits.

‍At a glance, you will see your top five motivations. These reveal the best ways to ensure you are fulfilled and energized at work. They are generally related to your passions and natural talents.

You'll also see the areas in which you are the lowest. This simply means you are less motivated in these categories. Even if you are good at them, they can feel draining.

So how does this tie into your areas of improvement?

Let's say you are low in Group Environment, meaning you prefer to work in a private space. If you work in an environment where there are large groups, your productivity might drop. To be more efficient, you might start your work day early or stay late so that you have uninterrupted time to yourself.

The more you understand your workplace motivations, the more room there is for professional improvement.