Question

Identify and explain at least 5 (five) roles of management in addressing performance problems?

Answer 1

Five roles of management in addressing performance problems

1.Orientation

Managers should provide each new employee with a copy of his specific job description. Ideally, candidates get a copy of their job description during the recruitment and selection process. A manager’s primary role is to provide new employees as well as seasoned employees with the tools necessary to perform their job functions. This sets the stage for ongoing performance evaluation. Managers also are responsible for workforce planning as it relates to performance evaluation -- workforce planning matches the right job assignments and tasks with employee skills, qualifications and interests.

2. Training

Performance evaluation includes employee training and development, which are within the purview of a management role. Although managers may use the talent of experienced, long-term employees to assist with skills training, the ultimate responsibility for training rests on the shoulders of the department manager. In addition to developing the skills and capabilities of their employees, managers identify employees who have high potential. Such employees are distinguishable from high performing employees. Managers use their own skills and talent to select employees who demonstrate aptitude and promise.

3.Feedback

Managers are responsible for providing employees with constructive feedback on a regular basis. Throughout the evaluation period, managers give their employees ongoing support, feedback and counseling on performance issues and disciplinary and corrective action. When employee performance suffers, managers are the first ones to observe the decline. It’s their responsibility to address performance issues and determine whether an employee needs skills training or corrective action to return her to an acceptable performance level.

4.Appraisal

The culminating event in performance evaluation is the actual performance appraisal. Managers complete leadership training that enables them to understand the importance of performance management and evaluation, as well as how to prepare for and conduct an annual performance appraisal. Preparing for an appraisal requires that managers know how to rate employees; their duty is to rate employees according to the company’s expectations and its performance standards. Therefore, a manager’s role includes observation and assessment. It’s up to the manager to conduct an appraisal meeting that employees look forward to and one that encourages employees to achieve their goals year after year.

5.Controlling Success Systems

Controlling systems refers to all the processes that leaders create to monitor success. Sports coaches have a saying, "Winners keep score," meaning that winners know where they are and know what is necessary to achieve a goal. This business function requires leaders to establish performance standards, measure actual performance and compare the metrics to determine anomalies.

For example, a sales leader is focused on more than only the final sales numbers; he considers the leading activities such as the number of minimum pitches and outbound calls. Leaders review the data and make adjustments in processes, policies, training or personnel to address failures based on that data. Winning leaders don't look at poor performance as failures but as opportunities to solve a problem that gets the desired results.