In your job, you may be required to give your staff negative feedback on their performance. It can be a tough thing as well meaning advice can often be lost in a sea of hurt feelings. With office harmony in mind, here are some things to remember the next time you try to help someone improve their performance:
Is the criticism fair? Are you focused on the outcome of work or the person who did the work. There is a difference between saying, “You did not achieve your performance goal,” and, “You’re a lazy bum who can’t get the job done.” One can start a discussion, the other is more appropriate when ending a career.
How would you react? While it can be dangerous to assume that everyone will react the same way you will, it can be a good thing to keep in mind. Remember, your goal is let the other person examine what went wrong and figure out how to prevent future problems. It’s very likely that her or she already knows that they performed below expectations. Your goal should be to refocus them on success.
Don’t go “bad cop.” If you interrogate the employee like a tough police detective, they may become so flustered that they won’t be able to think. The discussion could escalate into an argument. That doesn’t serve your big picture needs, unless you plan on firing them. If you don’t, then you want to empower the employee.
Try to start a discussion through the use of questions. Ask them how they could reach their sales goal by saying something like, “What do you think would be a good way to make sure that you reach your next sales goal?” Along those lines you may want to also ask, “How can I support you better so that you’ll achieve your goal?” You want this to be an exchange of ideas that ultimately gets the results that both parties want.
Is there a next step? After you’ve had a good discussion, make sure that you’ve outlined a next step that builds upon the discussion you’ve just had. This helps ensure that your employee won’t fall back on old behaviors that didn’t work and instead will be focused on making a positive change.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Give the Gift of Your Attention
How many misunderstandings do you experience in the workplace or at home because you weren't paying attention to someone? Perhaps this happens with a particular person who has a different communication style than you. I can get impatient with people whom Jerry Seinfeld might term, "long talkers." These people take forever to get to the point. Their information is good but I just have a hard time consuming it.
We all bring certain expectations and baggage to conversations and sometimes they interfere with the communications process. The added stress and confusion doesn't serve anyone. So for the next week, try an experiment. Identify the person who you tend to tune out and when you talk to them, give them 100% of your attention. Block all distractions, other than ones that would endanger you (like a warning about a fire or a runaway bus). Pay attention as if you're flying the space shuttle and ground control is giving you critical reentry data.
I think you'll find that by doing this you may eliminate some of your communication problems. Sometimes it's about showing the other person that you're interested in what they have to say. Simply putting them at easy may make them stop their annoying behavior, like taking too long to get to the point. It's a gift of respect that produces positive enforcement.
We all bring certain expectations and baggage to conversations and sometimes they interfere with the communications process. The added stress and confusion doesn't serve anyone. So for the next week, try an experiment. Identify the person who you tend to tune out and when you talk to them, give them 100% of your attention. Block all distractions, other than ones that would endanger you (like a warning about a fire or a runaway bus). Pay attention as if you're flying the space shuttle and ground control is giving you critical reentry data.
I think you'll find that by doing this you may eliminate some of your communication problems. Sometimes it's about showing the other person that you're interested in what they have to say. Simply putting them at easy may make them stop their annoying behavior, like taking too long to get to the point. It's a gift of respect that produces positive enforcement.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Why I Miss Film Photography
I love digital photography. It's great being able to immediately review your photos and it's very cool how you can edit them with a computer. I also like how I can take hundreds of pictures on a trip and not have to worry about buying another roll of film. But I've noticed that there are two byproducts of using film that I can't experience through digital photography (and I'm not referring to any issues of film vs. digital quality).
The Film Canisters: These plastic cases had so many uses after you'd used your roll of film. These ranged from organizing lose objects like screws to holding liquids like salad dressing in a lunch you'd take to work. Yes, I know that it's a good thing for the environment that we're not producing so many of these plastic containers. But their uses were only limited by your imagination.
The Last Shots: Imagine that you've taken your trip and you have a couple of remaining shots left on your roll of film. You could process the film without using them but often I'd try to think of some creative ways to use those final shots. As a result I have a very random collection of photos which cover such things as the view outside an in flight airplane, wacky shots of my family or my house, and action shots of my Star Wars action figures. Now with digital photography, there really isn't a, "last shot," that you need to use up. I miss that chance to think creatively.
It's not unusual to have a new process that is easier and better than the old one. But think if there is some byproduct of the old process that people might miss and see if there's a way to duplicate it with the new one.
The Film Canisters: These plastic cases had so many uses after you'd used your roll of film. These ranged from organizing lose objects like screws to holding liquids like salad dressing in a lunch you'd take to work. Yes, I know that it's a good thing for the environment that we're not producing so many of these plastic containers. But their uses were only limited by your imagination.
The Last Shots: Imagine that you've taken your trip and you have a couple of remaining shots left on your roll of film. You could process the film without using them but often I'd try to think of some creative ways to use those final shots. As a result I have a very random collection of photos which cover such things as the view outside an in flight airplane, wacky shots of my family or my house, and action shots of my Star Wars action figures. Now with digital photography, there really isn't a, "last shot," that you need to use up. I miss that chance to think creatively.
It's not unusual to have a new process that is easier and better than the old one. But think if there is some byproduct of the old process that people might miss and see if there's a way to duplicate it with the new one.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Do You Believe Your Limiting Beliefs?
Recently I came across a plot synopsis for the next (yes, next) Rambo movie. Apparently the Sylvester Stallone character will battle some kind of monster in this installment.
I've never seen a Rambo movie but I am aware of them. Upon seeing news of the upcoming film, I found myself saying, "But that's not Rambo. He doesn't fight monsters. He battle terrorists, communists, and other bad guys."
Then I realized that my thought process might be a bit limiting. After all, Rambo is a totally fictional creation. The idea of such a super-soldier is not based in reality so why should it matter who he's up against. If it were George Washington fighting aliens, instead of the British, then I might have a problem (Actually, call my agent...). But when it comes to Rambo, it's all make believe.
Every day we walk around with a set of beliefs that may be based on the strangest things. Beliefs can be good things as they can help protect us from certain unpleasant situations: Like believing it might not be a good idea to walk around by yourself late at night in a dangerous part of town. But they can also put a box around you that limits your experiences. As a professional speaker, I often meet people who continue to follow a routine because they believe it's the right thing, even if they are unhappy with the results they're experiencing.
Take a moment to consider some of your beliefs and decide whether they might need some exploring. If anything, you might receive affirmation that what you think is correct. But you might also open your mind to new possibilities.
I've never seen a Rambo movie but I am aware of them. Upon seeing news of the upcoming film, I found myself saying, "But that's not Rambo. He doesn't fight monsters. He battle terrorists, communists, and other bad guys."
Then I realized that my thought process might be a bit limiting. After all, Rambo is a totally fictional creation. The idea of such a super-soldier is not based in reality so why should it matter who he's up against. If it were George Washington fighting aliens, instead of the British, then I might have a problem (Actually, call my agent...). But when it comes to Rambo, it's all make believe.
Every day we walk around with a set of beliefs that may be based on the strangest things. Beliefs can be good things as they can help protect us from certain unpleasant situations: Like believing it might not be a good idea to walk around by yourself late at night in a dangerous part of town. But they can also put a box around you that limits your experiences. As a professional speaker, I often meet people who continue to follow a routine because they believe it's the right thing, even if they are unhappy with the results they're experiencing.
Take a moment to consider some of your beliefs and decide whether they might need some exploring. If anything, you might receive affirmation that what you think is correct. But you might also open your mind to new possibilities.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Smell of Desperation
During the past few days, I've received a few phone messages from the guy who was my mortgage broker when I bought my home more than four years ago. As you might guess, we haven't stayed in touch but now he seems very concerned about my well being.
In fact he'd like to see me rework my mortgage. This from the guy who looked at me like I was from Mars a few years ago when I told him that I didn't want an adjustable rate mortgage because there was a good chance that the economy was going to tank in the future. Turns out my judgment was right and his was wrong. Based on his expertise, I doubt he'd be the agent I'd like to talk to about reworking my deal.
But the dude also undermined himself in something he said: "Give me a call from now until midnight and after 10 a.m. tomorrow." That tells me that either he's so desperate for business that he's putting the rest of his life on hold or that he's working 14 hour days. Neither scenario gives me confidence in him.
There's a good chance that he may help some people who are unable to pay their mortgages. Of course the problem might be with the deals he worked on a few years ago. Nevertheless, by making himself so available, at a time when I haven't identified his services as as need, his sales pitch smells of desperation.
What could he have done? If the housing market had stayed strong, I might have been looking to move. Had he kept in touch with me, through something as simple as a holiday card, he would have stayed top of mind. Perhaps he could have shared examples, in a blog or a newsletter, of how he helped other people with their mortgages. By sharing his expertise, I might have come to the conclusion that his services could help me.
Right now I'd feel more confident trusting a circus clown with my money. At least then, I'd know going in that the smile I'm seeing may not be real.
In fact he'd like to see me rework my mortgage. This from the guy who looked at me like I was from Mars a few years ago when I told him that I didn't want an adjustable rate mortgage because there was a good chance that the economy was going to tank in the future. Turns out my judgment was right and his was wrong. Based on his expertise, I doubt he'd be the agent I'd like to talk to about reworking my deal.
But the dude also undermined himself in something he said: "Give me a call from now until midnight and after 10 a.m. tomorrow." That tells me that either he's so desperate for business that he's putting the rest of his life on hold or that he's working 14 hour days. Neither scenario gives me confidence in him.
There's a good chance that he may help some people who are unable to pay their mortgages. Of course the problem might be with the deals he worked on a few years ago. Nevertheless, by making himself so available, at a time when I haven't identified his services as as need, his sales pitch smells of desperation.
What could he have done? If the housing market had stayed strong, I might have been looking to move. Had he kept in touch with me, through something as simple as a holiday card, he would have stayed top of mind. Perhaps he could have shared examples, in a blog or a newsletter, of how he helped other people with their mortgages. By sharing his expertise, I might have come to the conclusion that his services could help me.
Right now I'd feel more confident trusting a circus clown with my money. At least then, I'd know going in that the smile I'm seeing may not be real.
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