It’s frustrating when performance falls short of expectations. It is even more of a problem when these shortfalls are not rare. As a leader, it is up to you to spur improvements. The underperformance can be at an organizational, a team, or an individual level. If underperformance happens, it’s the leader’s job to diagnose the correct root cause and apply the right remedy. Too often, they just react in frustration and never get to the fundamental course-corrective actions.
There are four main reasons for performance that falls short. Let’s examine them.
1. The person doesn’t know what to do.
I’ve watched foremen berate workers for making mistakes, embarrassing rather than teaching. Embarrassment doesn’t teach skills; rather, it tends to do the opposite. Teach, instruct, demonstrate.
2. The worker lacks the skills.
The worker may know what to do but lack the skills to execute the task well. You’ve heard people say, “How many times do I have to tell you?” The answer is once. After that, a different solution is required. Understanding the nature of successful action, training, and supervised practice are the best ways to build skills. “We’re too busy to train” has never enhanced the capabilities of the workforce.
3. The worker lacks the resources.
Have you equipped your team to do what you’ve asked them to do? People who lack what they need to do the job well seldom do. Whether it is sufficient time, adequate funding, the right equipment, or technology, each or any can contribute to workers (or organizations) falling short of expectations.
4. The worker isn’t motivated to hit the goal.
If people aren’t following, you’re not leading. People who don’t embrace the value of the task seldom give it their all. I’ve seen people who aren’t properly onboarded put success from their personal perspective rather than defining success from the enterprise requirement for success. Finally, if the culture sucks (a technical term) or the boss is a jerk, morale plummets and performance will suffer.
So, when faced with disappointing results, diagnose the root cause of the issue and apply the right corrective action. Putting Preparation H on a broken arm never quickened healing!