Leadership Coaching Tips
- Q: How do I motivate my employees?
- Q: How do I address a performance problem?
- Q: How do I break down silos at work?
Q: How do I motivate my employees?
A: First make sure you are not DE-motivating them. Employees react badly to a boss who micromanages, is demeaning/disrespectful, doesn’t follow through on promises and heaps more work on good employees while poor performers are given a free ride. The three most significant motivators are: 1) Challenge—give people something new or different to work on. 2) Give people thanks and praise for a job well done. 3) Make sure people feel that they are an important part of the team and have a role to play in the group’s overall success. A great leader takes time to get to know the people who work for him or her.
Q: How do I address a performance problem?
A: First figure out what is causing the problem—is it a lack of knowledge or skill? Provide training, coaching or job aids (checklists). Is it a lack of motivation? Look at the previous answer to make sure you are reinforcing the desired behaviors. Is it a lack of solutions to problems on the job? Provide the necessary tools, equipment or supplies or give advice on how to be successful without the necessary tools and information. Is it a lack of fit with the position? This could include a lack of mental or physical ability, personal problems or a lack of fit with personality characteristics. Provide tools, refer to counseling or find the person a job they are better suited for. Handle the situation promptly so that the person can be successful, you can achieve the output you require and so that your good performers don’t become resentful because a co-worker is not carrying their fair share of the work.
Q: How do I break down silos at work?
A: Silos form when departments put themselves above other departments in the organization. As the leader, make sure you keep negative comments about other areas of the company to a minimum. Talk positively about other departments, invite them to join in on your department activities and approach them directly and constructively to resolve issues and problems. Be known as a consensus-builder and it will help your career.
