Managing Performance Every Day

The scenario?

The company has decided it needs to eliminate costs. Hundreds of jobs are on the line. The executives of each division have been directed to cut costs by 35%. The tension throughout the company is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You know some departments will be totally eliminated because the work can be outsourced to save money.

You are a manager with over 20 years of seniority and you know your department is NOT being eliminated. You breathe a sigh of relief; after all, you do have personal ties to the owners. You show up for a weekly meeting with your boss, and he catches you off guard?your job has been eliminated. Your world changes in an instant! You don't understand! Your performance reviews have been good for 20+ years! You've done your job! Nobody has ever told you that you're NOT doing a good job! The shock consumes you in the months to come as you try to make sense of it all.

(What you don't know is that you have long had a reputation of someone who is extremely difficult to work with. Your many internal customers have complained about you all along. You shrugged off the complaints, and your boss chose not to deal with it or reflect it in your performance reviews.)

This scenario is in fact real! Unfortunately, corporations dealt with the same scenario (with a few details changed) over and over again. The lesson learned here?"Inadequate performance management systems" damage individuals and companies.

For the past few years' companies have furiously worked to upgrade the effectiveness of their performance management systems. They are establishing core competencies, identifying performance objectives and measures, and even talking about ongoing coaching.

A 2002 study by Mercer Human Resource Consulting reveals that ongoing coaching is still in short supply! The data indicates that 78% of employees surveyed said their managers routinely conduct annual performance reviews. It also indicated that 26% said managers routinely provide ongoing performance feedback and coaching.

Reality Check

Could you be blindsided by a scenario similar to the one mentioned earlier?

My personal belief is that managers (at all levels) don't give feedback or coach on an ongoing basis because they don't know how.

Today, there are a multitude of training programs and support systems for managers who really want to learn to coach on an ongoing basis. They can get their own coach or they can attend a workshop like "The Coaching Clinic ©". More info can be found at www.connectionscoach.com.

In the meantime, here are three ways you can begin to manage performance every day through coaching:

Acknowledgement

Make time to acknowledge contributions. Give credit where credit is due. Challenge them to play a bigger game. Inspire them to give the performance of a lifetime.

Development

Partner with them on projects. Do more asking versus telling. Become genuinely curious in their ideas and concepts. Give them the lead role. Support them when they stumble. Encourage them to get up and try again.

Provide Feedback

Be specific about what exactly makes the difference. Teach them how they can make a difference (do more, do less, keep doing). Incorporate "lessons learned" discussions into every project.

If your company is one that says, "Our employees are our greatest assets", now is the time to walk the talk. By providing ongoing coaching, you'll be managing performance every day. And most of all, your employees will feel like they are your greatest assets.

About The Author

Lora J Adrianse is the owner of Essential Connections. She is a Coach, Consultant and Facilitator who specializes in the development managers and business owners. She recently left a long-term corporate career to focus on her passion for helping others bring out the best in themselves through the use of Emotional Intelligence. She can be reached through her website www.connectionscoach.com; coach@connectionscoach.com

---

Becoming An Empowered Consumer

How many times have you said to yourself?"I just wish... Read More

Are You Addicted To Your Activities?

Activities - such as sports, creative projects, reading, work, TV,... Read More

Solution-Focused Therapy

Most types of psychotherapy involve exploring feelings, being validated, finding... Read More

3 Secrets to Developing Superior People Skills

1. If What You Are Doing Is Not Working Change... Read More

Gullibles Travels

A journey by a web-footed gull through a sea of... Read More

Self-contentment Leads to Confidence

Being self-content means accepting and acknowledging who you are at... Read More

Personal Life Coaching And How It Can Help You

Coaching is an effective process used to support individuals in... Read More

The Power of a Scope

We all know the power of a scope if you... Read More

Strategic Checklists

I've been through a couple of checklists in the past... Read More

Top Ten Things You Would Never Hear a Coach Say (or then again?!)

When coaching, it's all about the client, be that as... Read More

Viewpoints - Communication Destruction Or....

Viewpoints! Everyone has them and they are personal. However, when... Read More

How Could Choosing to Not Do It All Enhance Your Impact?

How often have you heard yourself say, "I've got so... Read More

What The Buddha Says About Coaches

There is a Buddhist saying that goes like this: "If... Read More

Poise, Posture, and Performance

Good posture is seen to have many advantages. From an... Read More

A Live It

Real change happens only when it becomes part of our... Read More

Avoid the Tendency to Underestimate Your Greatness

As a whole I think there is a sad tendency... Read More

An Example of Allowing a Desire to Arrive on Its Own

I don't know why, but it seems we trip over... Read More

Managing Performance Every Day

The scenario?The company has decided it needs to eliminate costs.... Read More

How To Deal With People Who Dislike You

When you read books on personal development and articles about... Read More

Dealing Effectively with Midlife Issues

In this article we would like to help you explore... Read More

Top Ten Things to Build a Bridge and Get Over

God must love Top Ten lists because she made so... Read More

Words That Inspire - PEACE

WORDS THAT INSPIREA monthly quick shot to motivate you, in... Read More

Become More Self-Confident

Signs of Self-ConfidenceLet's explore the meaning of self-confidence by taking... Read More

A Small Piece Of Carpet

Have you ever noticed how the way you feel about... Read More

Help! I Need to Make a Decision!

Many people who come to my office say they have... Read More

The Harvest: Shared Power

The fall harvest comes upon us once a year. The... Read More

Beware of Psychic Vampires

I am often asked how I stay happy and motivated... Read More

The Fastest Way to Ruin Yourself

I don't know many people who would admit to wanting... Read More

Keeping Your Anger Under Control

In my work with individuals and couples, I see many... Read More

Potential

One of the most often mis-understood aspects of self-development is... Read More

Free Advice From Albert Einstein

What If You Could Ask Anyone For Help?Have you ever... Read More

Coaching - An Adapting Tool For Attaining Fulfillment In The Global Economy

At a time when the global economy is bringing innovation,... Read More

Take a Chance, Win a Prize

I think that we're all probably familiar with the fairground... Read More