Stop Rescuing Underperformers: How to Make Consequences Stick
About this episode
The episode discusses the negative impact of rescuing underperformers and emphasizes the importance of making consequences stick in leadership.
Underperformers don't change because you ask them nicely. They only change when they can no longer avoid the consequences of not delivering. Every time you swoop in and rescue someone, you’re filling that performance gap on their behalf. At the same time, you’re reinforcing the fact that they never have to meet an acceptable standard, if they don’t want to. You might think you're just delivering the outcome: but you’re also unintentionally condoning unacceptable performance. As the leader, you’re responsible for the culture… and that’s a cancer in your culture. Every minute you spend doing someone else’s job is a minute you’re not doing your own. While your team is rewarded with extra work, they see you rewarding the poor performer with more of your time and attention. In this Q&A episode we cover: Why rescuing an underperforming peer is a disaster waiting to happen: if it works they take the credit, and if it fails you’re the scapegoat; The soft escalation technique that puts your boss in the picture without starting a political war you can't win An influencing technique that brings pressure to bear on a stubborn peer, without going over their head Why your…
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