Revive and Motivate an Underperforming Employee

One of the difficult realities that even stand-out managers must face is the eminent under-performer. When dealing with an employee who consistently underperforms, there are various factors to make note of. In a recent article from Talent Management.com, author Robert Hosking shares a few steps that can be taken before firing your under-performer.

For some employees, failing to measure up to expectations can be tied to the economic downturn and a lack of motivation. And some show minor or no improvement in the workplace despite attempts for training and resources for success. Either way, it’s important for the manager to find out why an employee isn’t meeting expectations and how they can work with the employee to resolve the situation.

Communicating and working with an employee to correct a performance issue can often pay off for the manager as well as the company. If given the chance, most employees will meet expectations. With the right approach, that lagging employee could eventually become a valuable member of the team again. Try these approaches:

  • Touch base right away: check in with the lax employee and discuss concerns with him or her. Be sure to clearly communicate your concerns. It’s important to arrange the meeting in a private location. The staff member must feel comfortable sharing his or her candid thoughts.
  • Reflect on how you might improve: engaging in a conversation with the employee can often alert the manager to things that he or she may or may not being doing that could be contributing to the person’s performance issues.
  • Motivate, don’t alienate: managers can emphasize to staff members under review that they are taking the time to talk because the person’s contributions are valued.
  • Consider a formal process if necessary: if the employee continues to underperform, after steps have been taken to help the person improve, the manager may need to consult a different department for additional guidance.

Under-performance is a touchy, sensitive subject. No one likes to be told that they are not meeting expectations. The manager, however, is responsible for making sure that each and every employee performs their best. To read more helpful hints about how to motivate an underperformer, click here to read the full article.

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