Which of the following would be an effective way for a supervisor to develop management skills individually if the company does not provide training?
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Lack of Ability, or Low Motivation?For every hundred men hacking away at the branches of a diseased tree, only one will stoop to inspect the roots. – Chinese proverb. If you don't get to the root of a problem, you will never truly solve it. Recognizing that may seem an obvious approach but many people miss it, as the Chinese proverb reminds us. So, what is the right approach, for example, if individual members of your team are performing less well than you'd hoped? Because employee performance affects organizational performance, we tend to want to look for a quick fix. In this case, would a training course help? Or should you move your under-performing team member into a different role? You need to understand the root of a performance problem before you can fully address it. These types of solutions, like training, focus largely on the ability of the person performing the job. Performance, though, is a function of both ability and motivation. Performance = Ability x MotivationFrom "Developing Management Skills" (8th Edition) p.27, by David A. Whetten and Kim S. Cameron. © 2011. Reprinted by permission of Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ. [1] Where:
Someone with 100 percent motivation and 75 percent performance ability can often achieve above-average performance. But a worker with only 25 percent ability won't be able to achieve the type of performance you expect, regardless of his or her level of motivation. In this article and in the video below, we'll explore how you can enhance ability and improve motivation in your team to get the best out of them. Click here to view a transcript of this video. Tip:This is why recruitment and job matching are such critical parts of performance management. Be sure to assess ability properly during the selection process. Minor deficiencies can certainly be improved through training – however, most organizations don't have the time or resources needed to remedy significant gaps. Diagnosing Poor PerformanceSo, before you can fix poor performance, you have to understand its cause. Does it come from lack of ability or low motivation? Incorrect diagnoses can lead to lots of problems later on. If you believe an employee is not making enough of an effort, you'll likely put increased pressure on him or her to perform. But if the real issue is ability, then increased pressure may only make the problem worse. Low ability may be associated with the following:
People with low ability may have been poorly matched with jobs in the first place. They may have been promoted to a position that's too demanding for them. Or maybe they no longer have the support that previously helped them to perform well. Enhancing AbilityThere are five main ways to overcome performance problems associated with a lack of ability. Consider using them in this sequence, which starts with the least intrusive:
From "Developing Management Skills" (8th Edition) p.27, by David A. Whetten and Kim S. Cameron. © 2011. Reprinted by permission of Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Be sure to address each of these interventions in one-on-one performance interviews with employees. 1. ResupplyFocus on the resources provided to do the job. Do employees have what they need to perform well and meet expectations?
This is a very effective first step in addressing performance. It signals to members of your team that you're interested in their perspective and are willing to make the required changes. Note:You'll need to ensure your team have the appropriate resources and means of communication to perform effectively at home if they work remotely, you can read more about this in our article Managing Home-Based Team Members. 2. RetrainProvide additional training to team members. Explore with them whether they have the actual skills required to do what's expected. Given the pace of change of technology, it's easy for people's skills to become outdated. This option recognizes the need to retain employees and keep their skills current. There are various types of retraining you can provide:
Resupplying and retraining will often cure poor performance. People and organizations may get into ruts, and fail to recognize these issues until poor performance finally highlights them. 3. RefitWhen these first two measures aren't sufficient, consider refitting the job to the person. Are there parts of the job that can be reassigned? Analyze the individual components of the work, and try out different combinations of tasks and abilities. This may involve rearranging the jobs of other people as well. Your goal is to retain the employee, meet operational needs, and provide meaningful and rewarding work to everyone involved. (For more detail on this, see our article on Job Enrichment.) Get the Free Newsletter!Learn new career skills every week, plus get a bonus Be a Successful Manager Checklist, free! Read our Privacy Policy 4. ReassignWhen revising or refitting the job doesn't turn the situation around, look at reassigning the poor performer. Typical job reassignments may decrease the demands of the role by reducing the need for the following:
If you use this option, make sure that the reassigned job is still challenging and stimulating. To ensure that this strategy is successful, never use demotion as a punishment tactic within your organization. Remember, the employee's performance is not intentionally poor – he or she simply lacked the skills for the position. 5. ReleaseAs a final option for lack of ability, you may need to let the employee go. Sometimes there are no opportunities for reassignment, and refitting isn't appropriate for the organization. In these cases, the best solution for everyone involved is for the employee to find other work. You may need to consider contractual terms and restrictions; however, in the long run, this may be the best decision for your whole team. Remember, there are potential negative consequences of retaining a poor performer after you've exhausted all the options available:
Improving MotivationSometimes poor performance has its roots in low motivation. When this is the case, you need to work closely with the employee to create a motivating environment in which to work. There are three key interventions that may improve people's motivation:
1. Performance GoalsGoal setting is a well-recognized aspect of performance improvement. Employees must understand what's expected of them and agree on what they need to do to improve. For a detailed explanation of the goal-setting process, see our articles on Goal Setting, Golden Rules of Goal Setting and Locke's Goal Setting Theory. 2. Performance AssistanceOnce you've set appropriate goals, help your team member succeed by doing the following:
Tip:Consider using the GROW Model as a way of coaching employees to improve their performance. 3. Performance FeedbackPeople need feedback on their efforts. They have to know where they stand in terms of current performance and long-term expectations. When providing feedback, keep in mind the importance of the following:
Ensure that you meet regularly with the employee, so that you can review progress and provide regular feedback. Creating a Performance Improvement PlanSo how do you do this in practice? This is where you need to develop a performance improvement plan. Armed with the strategies we've looked at, you first need to evaluate the performance issue that you're facing:
From there, it's important that you and the employee discuss and agree upon a plan for improving performance. Write down what you've agreed, along with dates by which goals should be achieved. Then monitor progress with the team member, and use the techniques we've discussed above for increasing motivation and dealing with ability-related issues. Recognize that the actions needed to close ability gaps need high motivation on the employee's part to be successful. The two causes of poor performance – lack of ability and low motivation – are inextricably intertwined, and goal setting, feedback, and a supportive work environment are necessary conditions for improving both. Key PointsYou need to understand the root of a performance problem before you can fully address it. Ability and motivation go together to impact performance, and the most successful performance improvement efforts combine strategies for improving each. This creates a positive environment where people feel supported to reach their performance potential – and feel valued, knowing that the organization wants to find a good fit for their abilities. At times, your interventions may not be enough to salvage the situation. As long as you've given performance enhancement your best effort, and you've reasonably exhausted all your options, then you can feel confident that you're making the right decision if you do need to let someone go. Before going down that route, however, try the strategies discussed here and create a great work environment for your employees – one where their abilities are used to their full potential, and where good motivational techniques are used on a regular basis. What should your supervisor do to make your job more effective?Identify the most important behaviors for great managers at your organization. ... . Build trust. ... . Be a true collaborator. ... . Make employee recognition your ritual. ... . Rethink how you promote your people. ... . Flip the traditional performance process.. Which communication skill do corporate managers view as most important on the job quizlet?Listening is an important communication skill for supervisors. Supervisors are responsible for the quality of the work produced by their subordinates.
What are some ways that supervisors can increase the motivation and satisfaction of their employees?7 Ways Managers Can Motivate Their Employees. Praise. People want to know if they've done a good job. ... . Encourage autonomy. ... . Treat them with respect. ... . Allow honest criticism and complaints. ... . Ensure a healthy work life balance. ... . Be fair. ... . Pay them more.. What could your immediate supervisor do to improve his or her management style?What Is the Most Important Thing a Supervisor Can Do to Improve?. Listen Attentively. Bottlenecks and waste in the workplace may be easy to identify, while addressing the reasons for it may not. ... . Communicate Effectively. ... . Develop Rapport with Employees. ... . Meet Management Expectations. ... . Practice Your Skills.. |