Performance Conversations

Having The Tough Performance – Related Conversations

In this competitive and cost sensitive environment organizations are coming face-to-face with an unavoidable truth: they can no longer afford to carry on the payroll people who contribute less than a fully satisfactory job.

Yet dealing with poor performance is one of the toughest tasks a manager is called upon to perform. Furthermore, most managers lack the skills and self-confidence to deliver corrective feedback needed to turn around poor or marginal performers. Hence–being human–managers typically delay or avoid confronting employee performance problems altogether.

When managers do take action on just a few of the weakest performers, it sends a convincing message that the leadership is serious when they talk about “excellence,” “quality” and “high performance.” At the same time, their action heartens the good performers and boosts overall morale.

The best organizations provide their managers with the skills and support they need to deliver timely, accurate, and assertive feedback, whenever the situation requires.