Episode 199 - How To Deal With Underperformance

<p class="p1"><strong>Summary</strong></p> <p class="p2">Leadership is challenging at the best of times, but even more so when people aren’t hitting the mark. This week we explore how to deal with underperformance.</p> <p class="p3"> </p> <p class="p1"><strong>Transcript</strong></p> <p class="p2">Hello and welcome to episode 199 of the Leadership Today podcast where each week we share practical tips to improve your leadership. This week we explore how to deal with underperformance.</p> <p class="p2">Leadership is challenging at the best of time, but even more so when people aren’t hitting the mark. Underperformance can be tricky to address. Research shows that the further people are away from performance standards, the less feedback they receive. Managers often avoid dealing with underperformance, hoping that things will magically get better with time. But performance rarely improves by itself. It takes a concerted effort on the part of the leader and the individual to turn things around.</p> <p class="p2">It’s helpful to consider two dimensions of underperformance - skill and will.</p> <p class="p2">Skill refers to a person’s capability and proficiency in performing their tasks. It's possible that an individual's skills are not aligned with the requirements of their role, leading to subpar performance. Addressing skill-related underperformance involves identifying skill gaps and providing the necessary resources for improvement.</p> <p class="p2">Will refers to the person’s motivation in completing their tasks. Motivation plays a significant role in performance. Low motivation can result from various factors, including personal issues, disengagement, or a lack of recognition. Dealing with will-related underperformance involves understanding the root cause of demotivation and implementing strategies to reignite enthusiasm and commitment.</p> <p class="p2">Underperformance may also be a mix of skill and will gaps.</p> <p class="p2">With those principles in mind, here are five practical strategies you can apply to