Prepare for a Performance Discussion

Keeping your team performing at the required levels is a key leadership task.

Using the recommended steps, you can deal with any performance concerns in a positive manner. That way you can work together to effectively identify the causes of the problem and then develop possible solutions. Using the employee’s ideas will mean they are more committed to making the improvement plan a success.

When performance counselling, keep these points in mind:

• Focus on the problem, not the person.
• Stress that you need the employee’s help.
• As far as possible use the employee’s ideas.
• Hold the employee accountable for achievement of the plan
• When you make a commitment to a review meeting, don’t change it.
  
  

Remember with a performance problem its not a matter of the employee’s attitude, but a matter of assisting a willing employee to perform at an acceptable level.

Be sure to prepare thoroughly for performance discussions. Decide what you’ll say and how you’ll handle the discussion. Use the Performance Counselling Discussion Planner as a planning tool to organise your thoughts beforehand.