Probe Work That Seems Ok
If the work is reported to be ok or fine by your subordinates, maybe you need to dig in deep and probe more.
The employee reporting to you may be struggling and not providing the true details of the situation.
MORE IDEAS FROM THE ARTICLE
It pays to highlight the strength an employee brings and then to work on minimizing the weak aspects. Start and work with the impact and value the employee is making to your team.
Ownership and accountability need to be defined so that your team knows who is responsible for what.
Instead of the sandwich approach to provide feedback, try to be direct and dispassionate.
Get a nod or a confirmation on the feedback that is delivered, so that it is clear and the employee hasn't taken away something unexpected or unintended from your conversation.
Diversify work within the team so that the long term and short term goals are both taken care of.
Instead of hanging on to a bad fit, and prolonging the support to employees who are struggling, it is better to let them go.
Have goal-oriented and clear meetings, only when it is important and necessary.
Show that you trust your team by delegating work and giving people big problems to solve.
RELATED IDEAS
- Thinking your current job knowledge and technical skills are enough to be a manager. Good management and people skills can be more important than technical skills.
- Failing to consult regularly with your boss, in an attempt to show that you can cope on your own.
- Approaching your boss without having thought a problem or its solutions through.
- Failing to assess what your customers want from you and your team.
- Using your authority inappropriately or not in the interests of the organization.
- Clarify expectations. Bad assumptions multiply when there is less regular conversation.
- Don't worry about how the team spends their time and focus on results.
- Make time to build relationships.
- Grant trust and expect the best.
- Be patient. Some things will take more time when you aren't in close proximity.
- Create actionable meetings: Schedule short meetings with clear agendas.
- Take advantage of technology.