Information

Three Ways to Improve the Way You Talk to People Who Work for You about their Performance

By: Wally Bock
Submitted: 2007-01-17 11:53:48
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Talking to people who work for you about their performance is one of the most difficult tasks in the workplace. But, there are three quick changes to the way they talk about other people's behavior/performance that will dramatically improve the odds of a successful outcome.

First, put the description of behavior you're talking about ahead of the reason why you're having the conversation. That keeps those emotional protective shields from going up and blocking real communication.

This is hard to do, because most of our parents, early bosses, and role models did it just the opposite way. That means that you will, almost naturally, do the less effective thing unless you make a conscious effort.

I suggest that you rehearse your opening. That will help you put the behavior ahead of the reason for chatting. You'll probably have to practice the change, too.

Describe behavior the Joe Friday way. Just the facts. Drain off the adjectives. Then follow the description of behavior with a brief description of why that behavior matters.

Behavior is what people say and what people do. Nothing else. You need to describe behavior, which you may have witnessed, or which may be verified.

Do not, ever, use the words "attitude" or "always." Limit your discussion to observable behavior. Be specific about what happened and when.

Finally, once you've had your say, shut up. Wait for your subordinate to talk.

There are a couple of things that can happen next. Your subordinate might agree that you've got things right. Your subordinate might dispute your description of what happened.

Either way, you can now come to agreement on behavior. Then you're on your way to a meaningful discussion of how behavior should be different in the future. And what the consequences are for good and bad behavior.

This is simple and gets great results. So why don't more of us do it more of the time?

The answer to that one is easy. Old habits are hard to break and just about everyone we emulate did it the other way. If you do the preparation and practice to get these three things right, your conversations with subordinates about behavior will be much more productive.

Wally Bock is an author, speaker, consultant and coach who helps leaders improve the performance and morale of their teams. This material is adapted from Wally's latest book, Performance Talk: The One-on-One Part of Leadership http://www.performancetalk.com). You'll also find tips and resources about all aspects of leadership at the Three Star Leadership site (http://www.threestarleadership.com/).

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Management category

  • The Importance of Databases - By: Kaye Marks
    It can seem so technical. Only large companies are going to have extensive databases about all of their sales along with any other information they feel like keeping track of.
  • Explain Digital Flow Meter - By: Manish Singhp
    There are different types of flow meters; each of them used for a different purpose. When the meter registers, one should know how to get a basic reading without too much struggle. As advised by experts, it is not the equipment's fault when a bad reading ensues; rather the reader could not read it correctly. The digital flow meter is not a useless instrument which is there for fun. It is a wonderful industrial tool which needs to be respected and used accordingly.
  • Meeting Inefficiency Contributes to Low Employee Morale - By: Bob Moir
    If there's one thing that can engender a feeling of dread in a normally happy employee, it's the prospect of another meeting on the schedule. Meetings are too often seen by employees as time wasters that are largely ineffective and accomplish little.
  • Making Meetings Mean Something Through Facilitation Training - By: Bob Moir
    The average meeting is just that, average, and the results, or lack thereof, speak for themselves. More and more companies are asking who within their inner circle has the requisite facilitation training to make a meeting pop, and more and more often the answers are coming from the outside.
  • Aluminium anodizing and its advantages - By: Mari Milian
    Anodizing is not like electroplating and other organic coatings, it is unique to aluminum. It has greatly extended the applications of aluminum products and uses after it was developed in early 1930's, where the metal or else not be utilized.
  • What is Cash Management - By: David Stack
    Cash flow is the essence of a business and the goal behind cash flow management is to determine the cash needed for day-to-day business devoid of losing investment options as a result of having two much cash. Although there are many cash management techniques they vary with the products and services sold, and how the particular business is run.
  • 10 Tips to Manage Labor More Effectively - By: Curt Barry
    More employees can mean more headaches. Learn how to manager your labor force more effectively with these 10 tips.
  • What You Need To Know About Business Articles? - By: Gurpreet Kaur
    There are times in business when everything you try seems to go wrong, or you can't find the answer to a particularly tough question. You may find that those that work with you and for you are just as frustrated, and that means you must look for help anywhere you can find it.
  • Explain Chrome Plating? - By: Ravi Bhati
    Chrome plating is a kind of finishing treatment that utilizes the electrolytic deposition of chromium. The thin, decorative bright chrome is the most common form of chrome plating. Chrome plating imparts a mirror-like finish to items such as metal furniture frames and automotive trim. Thicker deposits, called hard chrome, are used in industrial equipment to reduce friction and wear and to restore the dimensions of equipment that has experienced wear. There are two types of chromium plating: industrial and decorative. Industrial chromium plating is also called Hard Chrome or Engineered Chrome.
  • A Review of the Various The Law Of Attraction Dynamics - By: Brian Garvin
    Find out the scoop about the Law of Attraction and see if it is adequate for you at this time. Please decipher our unprejudiced evaluation of the Law of Attraction.