From Working Leadership Online:
Question:
Why do we constantly have to correct workers? Why don’t they just do the task lists given? Where is the balance between constant harping at employees and merely checking their work?
Aside from the fact that supervision is the job, I am, many times, at a loss to define why some Stratum I workers need constant correction. I realize it could be in the supervisor’s methods or it could be in the systems.
Response:
Whenever I observe an underperforming team member. I always ask myself these first questions. “Are they doing their best?” and if they are, then, “Is their best, good enough?”
If they are not doing their best, meaning, they could do better if something changed, I then follow these questions:
- Do I, as their manager, think they have the capability to achieve the goals I have assigned to them?
- Is their underperformance due to a lack of skill, which leads to some training and practice?
- Is their underperformance due to a lack of interest? Are they simply not interested in this kind of work?
As the manager, you should be able to answer these questions.
This particular question raises about a dozen more for me! The ‘manager’ appears to be quite uncomfortable about their role in holding people accountable, assessing performance and motivating his/her team. One of the keys to my success has been the ability, which I’ve learned the hard way, to assess team members quickly and use that detail in a skilled way to promote team success. The ‘manager’ also may need more skill in motivating his team. Does the worker understand the importance of their piece of the puzzle? Does the manager continue to ‘harp’ as he puts it rather than hold them accountable i.e. place negative consequences for the errant or lackluster behavior? How does the ‘manager’ motivate or follow up on the taskings? We’ve all worked with persons whose body language and sarcastic tone of voice can tick off anyone just by saying ‘Good Morning’. Sometimes we’re lucky enough to have team mates that have a great attitude and friendly speaking manner that can tell us to ‘go to Hades’ and we actually look forward to the trip! One’s attitude sets one’s altitude whether they are a worker or manager…and it starts with the individual.
This ‘manager’ asks a great question, but may be pointing the finger at themselves as the root of this issue.