So, it’s 2023 and the post-Covid Era. Much in this world may have changed, but one thing remains the same: managers at every level are still struggling to have difficult conversations with their employees. It’s not just the difficult conversations either. One in five employees is not confident their manager will provide regular, constructive feedback according to a recent Gallup poll.
We have known for some time that around 85% of employees quit their boss not their company but some of the recent statistics are even more depressing. Most managers are afraid. A study of managers by Interact Studio and Harris Poll revealed that the fear goes both ways; 69% of managers are just as afraid of communication as their teams.
This stuff really isn’t rocket science. We must equip our managers with the skills they need to tackle performance issues with confidence. It seems that managers everywhere still worry that tackling performance will make them unpopular when the opposite is true. Imagine you are a dedicated employee, watching in fury as your boss fails to tackle a fellow colleague who repeatedly arrives late or leaves early. How would you feel if you had people in your team working several hours less a week and being paid the same as you?
In 2023, if two thirds of your managers are frightened to communicate with their team members then it needs fixing - quickly. Not least because it’s probably costing you a small fortune. I’m also pretty sure you have far more profitable (and enjoyable!) activities that you would prefer your team to focus on.
Poor performance isn’t an HR issue - it’s a management issue.
If your team need help, have a look at ‘Taking the Stress out of Managing Performance’. At £599 for up to 12 managers it’s a half day workshop that won’t break the bank. The session overview is attached to the same link and the workshop can be delivered either on your site, or remotely.
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