Motivation and Support Part 5 - Take it to the next level
Another High-Performance Management technique for managing team members and staff
Here is a tip I have found to be useful in motivating and supporting team members and staff, which results in substantial increases in performance, productivity and job satisfaction.
Take it to the next level
When you receive a report, a presentation or a document from a team member that does not meet your expectations, it is not up to scratch, there is an easy and effective way to get the changes you want without demotivating your team member.
I use this approach
Acknowledge the work that has been done by saying, “This is a great foundation”.
Do not say “This is a great start” that implies it’s not finished whereas the team member probably thinks it is. Try not to say anything negative as they will immediately turn off and you won’t get them turned on again.
Next, try saying this, “With what you have done, we can now take this to the next level, which is what I was hoping for”.
This reinforces that you like what has been done, and that you have confidence that the team member is capable of making it better.
Now, walk through the changes you want, always commenting that each change takes things up a notch, makes it a first class result, and if the foundation was not there, these changes would not have been possible. As you walk through the changes, ask the team member.
“Do you think you can do that?”
That is all that is required. You have turned a negative into a positive mentoring of the team member and made them feel confident about what comes next.
They should leave you feeling good about themselves and the session, and so should you.
I have had the pleasure of working with Russell over many years, first in the Colonial Group and then in Mayne Group. Russell is one of the most inspiring and influential leaders I have had the opportunity to work with. He has an established history of building high performance teams and in turning around problematic IT organisations. His open and frank manner allows him to get to the heart of any problem whilst bringing key stakeholders along the journey.