Keeping the focus

"The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing"
Lee Iacocca, former CEO of Chrysler, who in the 80's turned the company around.
[He is about to loose his pension ....]

Anyway, each year I have to do several staff appraisals. It is easy to get distracted by the onerous paperwork and lists of publications, grants, future plans...

Here are some questions I want to focus on this year.

• What did you enjoy the most about the past year?
• What did you enjoy the least about the past year?
• What specific scientific questions did your research answer in the last year?
• What specific scientific questions do you want your research to answer in the next year?
• The worst enemy of the excellent is the good. What should you say no to in the next year?
• How can I better help you reach your goals this year?