Inevitably, a team member will underperform or fail at a given task or project. Holding that team member accountable for improvement is what leaders are required to do. But before they hold others accountable, the best leaders spend the time to discern exactly why failure occurred in the first place. The answer is often more complex than is first assumed. And it involves the leader.
My approach is similar to this. I discern if the person is willing or able. As long as they are willing, I don't mind working with them to figure out how to get to an acceptable level of performance.
If you are a boss, read this paragraph over and over again.
“But before they hold others accountable, the best leaders spend the time to discern exactly why failure occurred in the first place. The answer is often more complex than is first assumed. And it involves the leader.”
If you are pointing fingers, you are not solving the problem. Plus, in my experience, after the problem is solved you often will find that no one was to blame or that the error committed was slight (even if the consequences were not). Bottom line, focus on the problem. There will be plenty of time to place blame, and don’t forget your role in the affair too!
My approach is similar to this. I discern if the person is willing or able. As long as they are willing, I don't mind working with them to figure out how to get to an acceptable level of performance.
If you are a boss, read this paragraph over and over again.
“But before they hold others accountable, the best leaders spend the time to discern exactly why failure occurred in the first place. The answer is often more complex than is first assumed. And it involves the leader.”
If you are pointing fingers, you are not solving the problem. Plus, in my experience, after the problem is solved you often will find that no one was to blame or that the error committed was slight (even if the consequences were not). Bottom line, focus on the problem. There will be plenty of time to place blame, and don’t forget your role in the affair too!
When you point fingers hold your hand high. See the three fingers pointing at you.