The Star Profile Cheat Sheet

Dear Janice,

Great idea! Here’s the cheat sheet:

Tip One: It’s not a job description; it’s a relationship description

Tip Two: Less is more

Tip Three: Right brain over left brain

Tip Four: Avoid “eye of the beholder”

Tip Five: It’s a dialogue, not a monologue

Tip One. Probably the biggest challenge for people new to the Star Profile concept is replacing a job description mentality with a relationship mentality. You’re not providing a skills-based roadmap. You’re laying a foundation for a trust and respect-based, mutually accountable relationship. The fundamental premise of the Star Profile is this: Get the relationship right and everything else you desire will follow.

Tip Two. When I work with leaders, there’s a tendency to cram too much stuff into the star profile. A lot of it has to do with the job description mentality. As one of my mentors, Marshall Goldsmith, would say, resist “adding too much value.” Star profiles are collaborative, not dictative (my word). You’re simply setting the table. The seven courses come later.

Tip Three. I’m sure a neuroscientist would say I’m oversimplifying things, yet when crafting star profiles, I persist in encouraging people go “right brain.” Get creative. Add some color. As opposed to a dry recitation of job requirements, create an action-based picture you can visualize and excites you. Star profiles aren’t meant to be read; they’re meant to be felt.

Tip Four. Beware of the “eye of the beholder” problem. If you put in a star profile “understands” or “knows,” you could have a debate. “I understand!” “No, you don’t!” If you add a word like “demonstrates,” it’s no longer what the employee subjectively believes. It’s what others perceive.

Tip Five. A star profile isn’t a baton you hand off to the next runner. It’s an invitation to a collaborative relationship – dialogue not boss-monologue. In an ongoing way, you will work with your reports to best accomplish the desired goals, support the organization’s mission, and make its vision a reality. The EAR, the No-FEAR, feedforward and, as needed, the Same Day Summary, will greatly help in bringing life and sustenance to the star profile process.

Best regards,

Jathan

Jathan Janove is a Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching Master Coach and Practice Leader. You can learn more about him here. If you have a question you’d like him to address, please email us at AsktheCoach@mgscc.net.