Finally, a Formula to Improve Employee and Team Performance

Why do we look forward to the weekends so much?  Does work HAVE TO BE this way?

Many workplaces have high performance … and they can be a joy to work in if you enjoy what you do.

For others, it can be “Sunday nights suck” and  “How did I ever get here?”

Much of this grief is caused by poor performance – of executives, leaders, managers, supervisors,                              front-line workers, and your peers (at whatever level).

I use the “Performance Equation” below to diagnose and prevent performance problems.

• Get the right people on the bus and in the right seat (role).  Nothing can overcome mistakes here.
• Provide clear performance expectations. Most people dread trying to guess what’s in your head.
• Delivering feedback can be hard. Many of us avoid it. Think of it as a gift – telling people what you liked   and want them to continue … and what you want them to change and why.
• Equip people to succeed. Don’t forget the time needed. Also a healthy emotional and risk environment.
• Give appreciation and recognition for positive behaviors and results. Hold poor performance accountable.
• Finally, training can improve knowledge and skills, but cannot overcome earlier gaps in the equation. Dr. Robert Mayer:  “Can the person do the task if their life depended on it?  If so, they don’t need training.”

There’s a lot more to this approach, but I can tell you that it REALLY works in diagnosing and minimizing workplace performance problems – for individuals AND for teams.  As a best practice, it can provide a framework for equipping high performance.  Note to leaders:  USE THIS!

This is our strike zone.  Bring me your toughest challenge.