Your year-end review will contain the results you measured.
Will it contain the warnings people decided were not worth giving you?
At many companies, year-end reviews are getting underway, and next year’s budget is close to final. The year-end report will be accurate about what it measured.
What it won't show is what people chose to hold back.
Think of one concern someone raised early that you only accepted later. Maybe a budget concern raised in spring, or a launch date someone questioned before it slipped.
Problems get softer as they travel up. A risk becomes a watch item, then a footnote, and by the time it reaches you it looks handled.
People also remember what happened the last time someone challenged a deadline or a favored initiative. That memory shapes what they bring you next.
For a senior leader, no news can mean someone decided you didn’t need to hear it.
Your team sees the constraints and trade-offs clearly, often before you do. What they're weighing is the cost of telling you. Make it easy to tell you, and you get the full picture.
There are about eight weeks left in the year, and the year-end holidays will take a few of them. That still leaves enough time to act on what you hear, if you hear it now.
The Missing Information Review
Before performance reviews start, take thirty minutes with your direct reports. Ask:
What did someone try to tell us earlier that we only accepted later?
Which problems lost their edge before they reached me?
What happened the last time someone here challenged a deadline, a forecast, or a favored initiative?
The point is to hear the constraints, warnings, and trade-offs the official account may leave out. Say up front that every concern gets a fair hearing and some won't be validated. People are more open when they know how their input will be used.
This week, ask one question: "What became harder to tell me this year?"
Then listen. Hold off on explaining or defending. That conversation can come later.
If you are leading a team into year-end reviews, let's talk.
I have been there. I can help.
On my book: Intervals Of Service
It was a great experience conducting a pre-sale book campaign.
I have a few publishing offers to consider.
More to come. I will keep you posted.
Thank you!
If you are asking - what your success can make possible now?
I have been there, I can help.
Book a 60 minute strategy call: https://calendly.com/ronniekinsey/60-minutes
---
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ronniekinseymba
If you enjoy reading Leading Greats - PLEASE share my newsletter:
I appreciate your help spreading the word.
Thank you for telling others to subscribe. It’s FREE.
Make 2026 your best year yet. 58 days left to the year - there is time.
Don’t wait for someone to come save you. That’s not how it works.
If the life you are building does not yet match what’s fully possible, let's talk.
I have been there. I can help.
Apply to work with me: ronniekinsey.net
From several requests, I added a new short call option to my link above.
Until next time - keep it great,
-Ronnie
Founder | CEO | Executive Advisor & Coach, MBA, PCC - ICF level
Leader | Advisor | Speaker | Author: Intervals Of Service
Schedule a strategy call - let’s work together well:
Click here to book a call: https://calendly.com/ronniekinsey/60-minutes
If you are looking for my infographics | content ⬇
Get access here:
Interested in starting a newsletter - or migrating from another platform.
I have done both, I know how it goes.
Looking for sponsor partnership - Custom Posts on LinkedIn for broad audience reach?
REPLY here, on ronniekinsey.net, or on https://linkedin.com/in/ronniekinseymba/
Partner Disclosure: I may use affiliate links in my publications. I only recommend products that I use and appreciate. If you click them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my work and allows me to continue to provide valuable content. Thank YOU for your support!
