Don't wait to take corrective action.
If you have a team working for you, you are not just managing work. You are actually managing people. There are numerous situations where you may find your team or an individual is unable to deliver results. In order to meet the goals you set, your team should have both the capability to produce the results and also the intent to do so. If either of them is lacking, you have a problem. If a person lacks a technical skill, there are various sources of knowledge readily available depending upon what your budge is - books, online books, seminars, etc. These are easy to identify and packaged solutions are available to address the situation and remedy them. Non-technical skills like language, communication, etc are more difficult to address, and usually take longer to remedy. But the most difficult area to remedy is that when the intent is lacking. The individual is not passionate enough to do what it takes to get the job done. In any case, you have to address the situation immediately. Waiting to address the situation will have various consequences that will be destructive to your organization. If you condone certain behaviors, you are in effect encouraging them. This will send the wrong message to your team. The other team members may not copy the incorrect behavior, but they may be grudging the fact that others are getting off easily. This will sap the team spirit and lower the morale. Some of your corrective actions may bear positive results and others may not. When you have done your part, and you don't see the desired improvement, you may have to let the person go. When you do so, don't be hard on yourself - you have done your part and done what is right. Treat the individual with dignity that every person deserves. Also realize that you may be doing the person a world of good by giving them an opportunity to find a place where their skills are appreciated. That will help them in the long run.
2 comments
Jun 11, 2010
Tom in Chicago liked this post.
Sep 09, 2010
garymonti said...
This brings to mind the leader's need too look over the time horizon and practice risk management. This practice increases the clarity with which the intent (or its lack) can be seen along with the consequences. A healthy sense of urgency results.
