loader from loading.io

Episode 199 - How To Deal With Underperformance

Leadership Today - Practical Tips For Leaders

Release Date: 09/01/2023

Episode 225 - The Leader’s Mindset - Part Five - Drive for Growth show art Episode 225 - The Leader’s Mindset - Part Five - Drive for Growth

Leadership Today - Practical Tips For Leaders

Summary We each have mindsets that we bring to our leadership. In this final of a five part series, we explore Drive for Growth and the role it plays in The Leader’s Mindset.   Transcript Hello and welcome to episode 225 of the Leadership Today podcast where each week we share practical tips to improve your leadership. In this final of a five part series, we explore Drive for Growth and the role it plays in The Leader’s Mindset. We are continuing to explore The Leader’s Mindset which has four elements: Goal Orientation, Optimistic Outlook, Options Thinking and Drive for Growth. I...

info_outline
Episode 224 - The Leader’s Mindset - Part Four - Options Thinking show art Episode 224 - The Leader’s Mindset - Part Four - Options Thinking

Leadership Today - Practical Tips For Leaders

Summary We each have mindsets that we bring to our leadership. In this fourth of a five part series, we explore Options Thinking and the role it plays in The Leader’s Mindset.   Transcript Hello and welcome to episode 224 of the Leadership Today podcast where each week we share practical tips to improve your leadership. In this fourth of a five part series, we explore Options Thinking and the role it plays in The Leader’s Mindset. We are continuing to explore The Leader’s Mindset which has four elements: Goal Orientation, Optimistic Outlook, Options Thinking and Drive for Growth. I...

info_outline
Episode 223 - The Leader’s Mindset - Part Three - Optimistic Outlook show art Episode 223 - The Leader’s Mindset - Part Three - Optimistic Outlook

Leadership Today - Practical Tips For Leaders

Summary We each have mindsets that we bring to our leadership. In this third of a five part series, we explore Optimistic Outlook and the role it plays in The Leader’s Mindset.   Transcript Hello and welcome to episode 223 of the Leadership Today podcast where each week we share practical tips to improve your leadership. In this third of a five part series, we explore Optimistic Outlook and the role it plays in The Leader’s Mindset. We are continuing to explore The Leader’s Mindset which has four elements: Goal Orientation, Optimistic Outlook, Options Thinking and Drive for Growth....

info_outline
Episode 222 - The Leader’s Mindset - Part Two - Goal Orientation show art Episode 222 - The Leader’s Mindset - Part Two - Goal Orientation

Leadership Today - Practical Tips For Leaders

Summary We each have mindsets that we bring to our leadership. In this second of a five part series, we explore Goal Orientation and the role it plays in The Leader’s Mindset.   Transcript Hello and welcome to episode 222 of the Leadership Today podcast where each week we share practical tips to improve your leadership. In this second of a five part series, we explore Goal Orientation and the role it plays in The Leader’s Mindset. In the last episode we introduced The Leader’s Mindset which has four elements: Goal Orientation, Optimistic Outlook, Options Thinking and Drive for...

info_outline
Episode 221 - The Leader's Mindset - Part One - Introduction show art Episode 221 - The Leader's Mindset - Part One - Introduction

Leadership Today - Practical Tips For Leaders

Summary  We each have mindsets that we bring to our leadership. In this first of a five part series, we introduce The Leader’s Mindset and how it will help you to lead more effectively in all areas of your life. This is part one of a five part series.   Transcript Hello and welcome to episode 221 of the Leadership Today podcast where each week we share practical tips to improve your leadership. This week we are commencing a five part series on The Leader’s Mindset. As we start our series on The Leader’s Mindset, it’s important to step back and remind ourselves about what...

info_outline
Interview - Alexa Chilcutt - Executive Communication and Public Speaking show art Interview - Alexa Chilcutt - Executive Communication and Public Speaking

Leadership Today - Practical Tips For Leaders

Summary In this conversation, Dr. Alexa Chilcutt ( discusses the importance of executive communication and public speaking skills. She explains that anxiety around public speaking stems from the fear of being judged and evaluated. However, she emphasises that with practice and a clear process, individuals can become more confident and effective communicators. Dr. Chilcutt also provides tips for structuring a message, including identifying the purpose, understanding the audience, and breaking the information into three main points. Additionally, she highlights the significance of executive...

info_outline
Episode 220 - How To Bend The Rules With Integrity show art Episode 220 - How To Bend The Rules With Integrity

Leadership Today - Practical Tips For Leaders

Summary  Rules can be frustrating. It can be tempting to bend the rules or ignore them altogether, but this can lead to negative outcomes. This week we explore how to work around rules but maintain your integrity.   Transcript Hello and welcome to episode 220 of the Leadership Today podcast where each week we share practical tips to improve your leadership. This week we explore how to work around rules but maintain your integrity. Lapses in integrity have ended many leaders’ careers. Breaking the rules is never a good idea. But we often need to be creative and flexible to get...

info_outline
Episode 219 - How To Appear Less Nervous in Meetings and Interviews show art Episode 219 - How To Appear Less Nervous in Meetings and Interviews

Leadership Today - Practical Tips For Leaders

Summary Interviewers place a strong emphasis on perceptions of nervousness. But there are practical steps we can take to appear less nervous in meetings and interviews.   Transcript Hello and welcome to episode 219 of the Leadership Today podcast where each week we share practical tips to improve your leadership. This week we work through ways to appear less nervous in meetings and interviews. Research demonstrates that anxious candidates perform worse at job interviews, even when their skills and experience align well with the role. Interviewers place an oversized importance to the...

info_outline
Episode 218 - How To Boost First Impressions on Zoom show art Episode 218 - How To Boost First Impressions on Zoom

Leadership Today - Practical Tips For Leaders

Summary Research demonstrates the background we choose for video calls has a significant impact on how trustworthy and competent we appear. This week we explore how to boost your first impressions on a video call in three simple ways.   Transcript Hello and welcome to episode 218 of the Leadership Today podcast where each week we share practical tips to improve your leadership. This week we explore how to boost your first impressions on a video call in three simple ways. Your choice of background on a video call has a greater impact on how you’re perceived by others than you might...

info_outline
Episode 217 - How to Be More Real on Video Calls show art Episode 217 - How to Be More Real on Video Calls

Leadership Today - Practical Tips For Leaders

Summary Research demonstrates a risk of detachment and reduced connection on video calls. This week we explore ways to be more real when we’re not meeting in-person.   Transcript Hello and welcome to episode 217 of the Leadership Today podcast where each week we share practical tips to improve your leadership. This week we look at how to be more real on video calls. We make rapid judgements about people based on visual and other information we receive. While this can lead to us making incorrect judgements when we meet people in-person, the risk is increased through video calls. Research...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Summary

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.

 

Transcript

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.

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.

It’s helpful to consider two dimensions of underperformance - skill and will.

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.

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.

Underperformance may also be a mix of skill and will gaps.

With those principles in mind, here are five practical strategies you can apply to help with underperformance in your team.

  1. Goal Setting and Monitoring: Set clear, achievable performance goals that align with the person’s role and the team's objectives. Clarity comes first. If people aren’t clear about their role and expectations, you can’t manage underperformance. Regularly monitor progress and provide timely feedback. This approach keeps employees on track and motivated to achieve tangible results, addressing both skill and will dimensions of underperformance.
  2. Personalised Development Plans: For skill-related underperformance, work with the employee to create a tailored development plan. Identify areas that need improvement and provide resources such as workshops, courses, or mentorship. This proactive approach not only enhances skills but also demonstrates your commitment to their growth.
  3. Motivational Conversations: When dealing with will-related underperformance, engage in motivational conversations. Understand the person’s concerns, aspirations, and potential roadblocks. Together, devise strategies to reignite their passion and commitment to their role. Sometimes, a simple change in responsibilities or opportunities for skill application can reignite enthusiasm.
  4. Constructive Feedback and Recognition: Initiate open and honest conversations with underperforming employees. Address skill gaps by providing specific feedback and suggesting training opportunities. For issues related to motivation, recognise their efforts and contributions particularly where you see improvements, reinforcing the value they bring to the team. Constructive feedback motivates improvement and fosters a sense of belonging.
  5. Mentorship and Role Modelling: Pair underperforming employees with mentors who can provide guidance and support. Mentorship encourages skill development and fosters a sense of belonging. Additionally, lead by example—demonstrate enthusiasm, dedication, and a growth mindset. Your actions can inspire others to embrace improvement and take ownership of their performance.

Underperformance can be tricky to manage well. Being clear and supportive, while also providing the help and development people need, will provide your best opportunity to turn things around.

 

Leadership Today On-Demand Special Offer

We have a great deal for podcast listeners on our Leadership Today On-Demand subscription. Just go to www.learn.leadership.today and checkout using the promo code PODCAST for 25% off an annual subscription.

Leadership Today On-Demand is a video subscription service that allows you to work on your leadership in your own time and at your own pace. It is available online and through our Apple iOS and Android apps for phones and tablets. Our mission is to help you to become an even better leader.

Your subscription brings together all of our video content in one place including:

- Our annual conference including a range of leadership experts - valued at $450

- Five online courses with workbooks - valued at $250 each

- Five five day challenges with workbooks - valued at $150 each

- Nineteen recorded webinars - valued at $100 each

- A searchable library of 140+ "how to" quick videos on a range of leadership challenges - valued at $350

That's over $4,500 of content for less than the price of a single online course. And there are more videos added each week.

 

Get Connected

Find out ways to get connected here: https://leadership.today/connect