Areas of improvement: 20+ Ways for employees to succeed

Why focus on your team's areas of improvement?

Research into predicting success in business reveals that specific work attitudes and preferences distinguish successful entrepreneurs and business leaders from others. More importantly, these traits directly correlate with venture success - and they can be developed. By identifying and addressing your team's key areas for improvement, you'll enhance their skills and eliminate blind spots that may be holding them back.

This targeted approach helps you increase your team's value (or your own value) to your organization while unlocking new career opportunities. Transforming performance doesn't require an extensive training budget. Through Marlee's research-backed insights, you'll discover exactly which attitudes and behaviors to focus on for maximum impact on professional success, whether you work in or lead a startup or enterprise business.

What are precise areas of improvement for entrepreneurial success?

1. Initiative: Turning ideas into action

The data is compelling: successful entrepreneurs score 40-43% higher in their drive to initiate action compared to the general working population.¹ This isn't just about having good ideas—it's about the motivation and confidence to execute them independently.

Ask yourself:

• Do you actively initiate projects without being prompted?
• When opportunities arise, are you first to volunteer or wait for others?
• How confident do you feel taking autonomous action?
• Can you push through uncertainty to start new projects?

Your ability to initiate separates dreamers from doers. While most people wait for the perfect moment or external validation, successful entrepreneurs take immediate action on opportunities they spot.

🚀 Ready to boost your initiative? Our Start Fast coaching program helps you develop the motivation and confidence to turn ideas into action - a crucial area of improvement distinguishing successful entrepreneurs.

2. Personal power and leadership skills

Research reveals a striking insight: successful entrepreneurs score 33% higher in their motivation for personal power than the general population.¹ This drive for control over resources and outcomes isn't just ambition - it's a key predictor of venture success and correlates directly with successful business exits.

Ask yourself:

• How comfortable are you wielding influence and authority?
• Do you naturally take control of situations and resources?
• Are you transparent and confident in decision-making?
• Can you inspire and guide others toward goals?
• Do you actively seek positions of greater responsibility?

While many shy away from power, successful entrepreneurs embrace it. They understand that personal power isn't about domination - it's about having the confidence and capability to drive meaningful change and achieve ambitious outcomes.

💪 Ready to develop your personal power? Our Personal Power coaching program helps you build the confidence and comfort needed to step into positions of influence - a crucial trait distinguishing successful entrepreneurs.

3. Big-picture thinking and vision

What sets successful entrepreneurs apart? Studies show they score 30% higher in their capacity for big picture thinking compared to the general working population.¹ This isn't just about creativity—it's about seeing patterns, spotting opportunities, and communicating strategic vision in ways others can't.

Ask yourself:

• Can you quickly identify broader trends and implications?
• Do you naturally connect seemingly unrelated concepts?
• Are you comfortable thinking and communicating at a strategic level?
• When others get lost in details, do you maintain perspective on what matters most?
• Can you effectively share your vision to inspire others?

While many get caught up in day-to-day operations, successful entrepreneurs thrive on abstract thinking and strategic foresight. They don't just solve problems - they reframe challenges and spot opportunities others miss.

🔭 Ready to enhance your strategic thinking? Our Big Picture Thinker program helps you develop and communicate broad perspectives that drive innovation - a distinctive trait of successful entrepreneurs.

4. Instinctive decision-making skills

The numbers reveal a fascinating truth: top entrepreneurs aren't just good decision-makers—they score 34% higher in trusting their gut instincts compared to the general working population.¹ This isn't about reckless choices; it's about having the confidence to act on well-honed intuition.

Ask yourself:

• Do you trust your instincts when opportunities arise?
• Can you make swift decisions without all the data?
• When your gut says "yes," do you act or hesitate?
• Do you spend more time analyzing or executing?
• Can you stand firmly behind decisions once made?

Most professionals get trapped in analysis paralysis, but successful entrepreneurs have mastered the art of decisive action. They understand that perfect information is rare, and timing often matters more than exhaustive analysis.

This skill is becoming increasingly rare. Marlee's Gen Z at Work Study shows a stark 60% decline in trusting "gut feel" across generations, with Gen Z strongly preferring external validation before making decisions.

👉 Download the Gen Z at Work Study

🧭 Ready to strengthen your decisive instinct? Our Trust Your Gut Feel coaching program helps you develop confidence in your intuitive decision-making - a crucial differentiator that separates successful entrepreneurs from the rest.

5. Commercial awareness and financial drive

Here's what separates successful entrepreneurs from dreamers: they score a remarkable 43% higher in their motivation for commercial outcomes compared to the general workforce.¹ Beyond basic bookkeeping, their drive encompasses mastering P&Ls, optimizing margins, nailing forecasts, and strategically managing budgets.

Ask yourself:

• Do you naturally gravitate toward financial metrics?
• Can you quickly spot opportunities to improve margins?
• Are you energized or drained by financial forecasting?
• Do you proactively seek ways to enhance commercial outcomes?
• Is profit a scoreboard that excites you?

While many entrepreneurs focus solely on their product or service, the most successful have an inherent hunger for commercial excellence. They don't just tolerate financial management - they thrive on it, seeing numbers as a strategic tool for growth.

💰 Answer questions on what motivates you to discover your natural drive for working with money, finances, and the commercial aspects of business.

👉 How to take the Marlee Motivational Analysis

What are specific areas of improvement for enterprise success?

While we've explored the areas of improvement that drive entrepreneurial success, many thrive in enterprise environments instead. Let's examine five crucial areas of improvement that correlate with exceptional performance in established businesses.

Understanding where you naturally excel - whether in entrepreneurial or corporate settings - is the first step to maximizing your professional impact.

🤔 Answer questions on what motivates you and ask our AI coach, Marlee, "What job would make me most happy?"

👉 How to ask Marlee a question about me

1. Organizational skills: Structure and planning

In the corporate world, raw talent isn't enough—here's why: leaders of mature-stage businesses score 37% higher in their motivation for structure, planning, and organizing compared to entrepreneurs.¹ This methodical approach sets high performers apart in complex organizational environments.

Ask yourself:

• Does structure energize or drain you?
• Can you effortlessly juggle multiple complex projects?
• Do you naturally create systems to manage work?
• Are you known for reliable project delivery?
• Does planning feel like procrastination or preparation?

While many professionals rely on reactive task management, successful leaders of mature businesses thrive on systematic approaches. They understand that in large organizations, strong planning skills aren't just about personal productivity - they're about orchestrating success across teams and departments.

📋 Take the Marlee Motivational Analysis to discover your natural drive for structure, planning, and organizational excellence.

2. Active listening skills

Here's a surprising insight: successful mature-stage business leaders are 36% more convinced by hearing presentations and feedback compared to those who experienced business failure.¹ This isn't just about being a good listener—it's about absorbing, processing, and acting on what others share.

Ask yourself:

• Do you seek to understand before responding?
• Can you hear the message behind the words?
• Are you fully present in conversations, or is your mind already formulating responses?
• Do you pick up on subtle cues in presentations?
• Can you synthesize multiple viewpoints into actionable insights?

While many people focus on being heard, successful enterprise leaders excel at hearing others. They recognize that the ability to listen to others in complex organizations determines success or failure.

🎧 Answer questions on what motivates you to discover your natural capacity for active listening - areas of improvement that distinguish successful enterprise leaders.

3. Goal-setting skills and achievement focus

The data tells a clear story: top enterprise leaders are 20% more motivated by goals and targets compared to those who experience business failure. Those who succeed have a heightened drive to work towards clear objectives. They're also 11% more driven to achieve.¹

Ask yourself:

• Do you naturally translate into a clear vision, mission, or goal?
• Are you energized or overwhelmed by ambitious targets?
• Do you track progress systematically?
• Can you maintain momentum when working towards goals?

Successful enterprise leaders view goals as vital navigation tools. They understand that in large organizations, the ability to set, track, and achieve meaningful targets creates both personal and organizational momentum.

🎯 Answer questions on what motivates you to understand your natural drive for goal-setting and achievement - key differentiators between high-performing enterprise leaders and those who fail.

4. Precision and quality control skills

A telling distinction emerges: successful enterprise leaders are 24% more motivated to check the work of others compared to entrepreneurs.¹ In complex organizations, this heightened attention to quality isn't micromanagement - it's a critical driver of success and consistency.

Ask yourself:

• Do you naturally spot inconsistencies in deliverables?
• Can you maintain focus when reviewing detailed work?
• Do you find satisfaction in perfecting others' output?
• Are you energized by establishing quality standards?
• Can you balance thoroughness with efficiency?
• Do you see quality control as tedious or essential?

While entrepreneurs often prioritize speed and innovation, enterprise leaders excel at ensuring precision at scale. They understand that in large organizations, attention to detail is about maintaining excellence across teams and departments.

To improve the quality of your work:

🔍 Start our Attention to Detail coaching program and develop a genuine appreciation, energy, and stamina for detailed thinking.

5. Time management skills

Here's what sets successful corporate leaders apart: They have a 19% higher priority on time management than entrepreneurs. They understand the strategic value of time in complex organizations, focusing on maximizing every hour for organizational impact.

📖 Read more: 10 Time management skills examples to improve productivity

To identify if you need to improve:

• Do you set realistic deadlines?
• Can you stick to a schedule?
• Do you plan out your day?
• Do you prioritize your tasks effectively?
• Do you know when to stop working on a project, or do you keep going at the expense of other priorities? 

Additional areas of improvement to enhance your professional impact

1. Integrity

Integrity involves being honest and upholding solid ethics and morals. It's an essential component of building trust. Without integrity, even the most capable and talented employee will have limited success.

To identify if you need to improve:

• What actions show you have a clear understanding of right and wrong?
• Do you always tell the truth?
• Do you avoid conflicts of interest?
• Do you uphold the company's values?
• Do you follow through on commitments?
• Do you give credit where credit is due?

2. Ambition

Ambitious employees show drive and a desire to improve themselves and help the company succeed. They aspire to be better than they are now. Ambitious employees seek career growth and often have a personal development plan.

To identify if you need to improve:

• Do you want to go beyond your current role, or are you coasting by?
• Do you seek out new opportunities and learning experiences?
• Do you ask for regular feedback from colleagues?
• Do you ask for more challenging tasks and projects?
• Do you go above the bare minimum?

3. Delegation

Delegation involves assigning tasks to others who are better suited for them. Strong communication skills are essential when delegating work. Tasks should be straightforward, done right, and done quickly. Delegating also helps a team build trust and demonstrates teamwork skills.

To identify if you need to improve:

• Do you ask for help when you're overwhelmed or try to do everything independently?
• Do you assign tasks appropriately to others who are better suited for them?
• Do you explain tasks thoroughly and in an easy-to-understand manner?
• Do you delegate tasks effectively, or do you tend to micromanage?
• Do you follow up with those you've given tasks to and see how things are going?

To improve your delegation:

🌟 Start our Multiply Your Impact program to help you develop a willingness to empower the opinions, feedback, and insights within your team. Multiply your impact through the potential of others.

4. Communication skills

Effective communication is crucial for relaying and receiving information at work. 

To identify if you need to improve:

• Do you listen well to others?
• Do you seek first to understand?
• Do you speak openly about your needs?
• Do you address issues and conflicts promptly?
• Do you have effective writing and speaking skills?
• Do you value interpersonal communication?

To improve your communication skills:

Recognizing your unique work style and communication preferences can set you up for success. Effective communication can save you time and energy.

🔍 Answer questions on what motivates you and receive a detailed report instantly. It will reveal your communication style and any communication blind spots. Set up a team and invite your team members, unlocking similarities and differences to help you adapt your communications.

Marlee 1:1 comparison Board

5. Teamwork skills and collaboration

Your company hires many people, each with a critical skill set and role. However, for the company as a whole to succeed, each employee must work together. Every team member must have excellent communication skills and emotional intelligence to get the best result possible.

To identify if you need to improve:

• Do you cooperate with team members?
• Do you seek out coworkers for their expertise?
• Do you try to build relationships with team members, or do you always keep to yourself?
• Do you go out of your way to include all relevant parties or exclude certain people?

To improve your teamwork and collaboration:

🤝 Take your teamwork to the next level with our Team Building coaching program. Accelerate team connection and bonding and unlock energy and motivation in your team.

6. 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 building relationships and making people feel valued.

To identify if you need to improve:

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

To improve your empathy:

❤️ Explore, develop, and strengthen your emotional intelligence (EQ) with our Increase EQ program. Awareness of your and others’ emotions is key to influencing and building authentic connections at work and in life.

7. Job knowledge

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

To identify if you need to improve:

• 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 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?

8. Productivity

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

To identify if you need to improve:

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

9. Dependability

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

To identify if you need to improve:

• 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?

10. Adaptability skills

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

To identify if you need to improve:

• 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?

11. Interpersonal skills

Interpersonal skills enable you to communicate and interact effectively with others through verbal and non-verbal cues. These skills are essential for building and maintaining relationships with colleagues and clients. In a team setting, interpersonal skills influence how well you collaborate and work with others. Those with excellent interpersonal skills use appropriate language, actively listen, and demonstrate positive body language, such as maintaining eye contact and showing genuine interest in others.

To identify if you need to improve:

• 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?

To improve your interpersonal skills:

❤️ Develop your interpersonal skills with our Increase Emotional Intelligence program.

12. Problem-solving

To solve a problem well, you must examine the situation, consider 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 an organization's growth and success. They're also crucial for conflict resolution and leadership roles.

To identify if you need to improve:

• 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 multiple ways?
• Do you follow through on your chosen solutions and track their effectiveness?

How to answer "What are your areas of improvement?" in your performance review or interview

Now that you've considered your areas for improvement, you'll need to prepare some examples to support them. Honesty and self-awareness are key when discussing your areas for improvement in an interview or performance review. Identify 1-2 non-critical skills you're actively developing and briefly explain your improvement strategy.

Support your response with specific examples that demonstrate both your strengths and areas for growth. Remember, acknowledging weaknesses shows maturity, especially with a commitment to learning.

🚀 Master the "3 areas of improvement" question! You'll impress managers and interviewers by turning this common question into an opportunity to showcase your self-reflection and dedication to professional growth.

Identifying areas of improvement for professional growth

Discovering your areas for improvement is crucial for career advancement. Whether you aim to enhance leadership skills, improve conflict management, boost creativity, refine time management, or reduce stress, our AI coaching provides tailored guidance. For instance, if you score low in what we call, Group Environment, you might improve productivity by adapting your work schedule for uninterrupted focus time.

Understanding your workplace motivations opens doors to significant professional improvement. By addressing your specific areas of improvement, you can optimize your performance and accelerate your career growth.

🚀 Discover how to implement areas of improvement at work effectively. Learn actionable strategies that will elevate your performance and propel your career forward.

How can professional development be supported within a company?

When managers push for professional and personal development, workers are likelier to be engaged and happy at work. Performance evaluations can assist in identifying areas for improvement, allowing for professional growth. Improving professional skills makes people more valuable to the company.

Companies can facilitate professional development through performance coaching, internal training programs, and encouraging employees to explore external learning opportunities.

Frequently asked questions

Why should I focus on identifying areas of improvement for my career?

Identifying areas of improvement allows you to enhance your skills and overcome weaknesses, which can significantly contribute to your personal and professional growth.

How can I get started on improving my areas of improvement?

Begin by identifying areas for improvement. Answer questions about what motivates you to gain insights into your strengths and weaknesses (we prefer to call these blind spots). Leverage personalized coaching plans to work on specific skills and enhance your career trajectory.