When it comes to your people, they can make or break your company. That’s why, if you’re noticing that productivity is tanking, you need to take steps to deal with underperforming employees and get your team back on track. Where do you begin? Here are some tips from the KC staffing experts at Morgan Hunter:
#1: Have private meetings.
Whether it’s one employee or 10, meet with each one individually so that you can get to the root cause of the problem. When you do, don’t point fingers or berate your employees. Simply have a conversation with them so that they know where you’re coming from and understand your expectations.
Also, once you’ve voiced your concerns, sit back and be a good listener. Perhaps there are issues you’re not aware of at play. Whatever information you find out, having a discussion will help you to develop the most targeted and effective solution for overcoming it.
#2: Have a team meeting.
When you have a productivity issue across the board, with the whole team, then it’s time for a staff-wide meeting. Something’s clearly going on and it’s up to you to find out what it is. Perhaps your goals and expectations aren’t being communicated thoroughly. Or maybe deadlines are too unrealistic. Whatever the case, have a meeting where everyone has a chance to voice their concerns. It’s important to ensure when you do, that you create an atmosphere in which your employees feel heard and free to express their frustrations.
#3: Offer individual feedback.
Once you have a sense of what’s causing an issue with productivity, it’s important to offer clear and critical feedback about where you want each employee to improve. You can’t expect people on your staff to meet your expectations when they’re not really sure what they are. So make sure you’re as specific as possible when conveying them.
#4: Know what motivates your employees.
It’s hard to keep your employees as productive as possible if you don’t know what motivates them each individually. So aim to learn more about them. Spend time with each one and talk to them about their career goals in the near future, as well as the long term.
#5: Give them praise and recognition.
When the lazy employees on your team are turning it around, it’s important that you offer praise and recognition to them. Tell them when you notice and get specific with details as to the impact their improvements are making. This will not only make them feel valuable but also keep them more motivated in the long run.
As one of the leading temp agencies in Kansas City, we know productivity changes aren’t going to happen overnight. However, if you implement the steps above and stay committed to them, you can go a long way in improving your staff’s productivity and your bottom line.
And if you need help hiring ambitious talent – people who are driven to deliver – for your team, contact Morgan Hunter. As KC staffing experts, we can help.
