We have welcomed a new year, full of expectations on personal and professional level. COVID-19 is still here testing our resilience. For the business world, the challenges are great and the workforce is under serious stress. Our previous articles focused on how important culture, team bonding, and engagement are for companies during the times of the pandemic.
However, the aim is to continue excelling, not just survive. It is in human nature to hope, strive for the better and the pandemic may turn to be an opportunity to attest our determination and perseverance. Companies need not only well bonded teams and committed employees, but also efficient teams that will generate brilliant results and excellent work.
Management at such times should demonstrate great inspiration, be versatile, bold, and intelligent. We want our companies to keep developing and growing, even during the pandemic.
At LMW, as an HR company, we suggest that you reconsider and adjust your performance management methods to the new conditions. Below there are eight ways that will enhance your management, which in turn bolsters employee efficiency.
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Embrace change and accept that times and conditions are different.
Employees work remote from home, working hours have become flexible, virtual meetings can be the only means of communication among team members. An effective manager takes all those factors into account when projects are delegated, and progress is reviewed.
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Align employees’ personal goals with company’s goals and culture.
How can employees be efficient if they are not in the same boat with the company’s leadership? Company culture, as explained in our previous article, is the engine that drives the company to success. Employees that embrace company culture and find it compatible and complimentary to their own personal culture, targets and ethos are the ones who will show commitment and efficiency.
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Have a clear view about your goals before assigning tasks.
No matter how competent an employee is, if there is not clear communication by the manager, the projects have less chances to be successful. We are frequently lost in translation, especially during disruption times. Communicating with empathy the goals and details the project from the very start in a clear and tangible way is a strong step to success.
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Set the bar high and assign smartly.
Challenge your employees to reach the highest of their capacities. Low expectations by the team will definitely hinder employees from going the extra mile. Also, choose well the person for each task. Look further than the typical criteria (who can do the job), to the question “who wants to do the job”. When an employee is enthusiastic about a task, chances are that the project will be successfully accomplished. Have an honest, open environment where people can express opinions, the level of accountability is high and remains there.
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Evaluate employees’ performance now, not later.
As projects and daily work unfold, a keen manager needs monitor closely the progress and align expectations frequently. Employees need guidance and evaluation at every step on the way, as they perform their tasks. Especially now, during the pandemic, where the majority of employees work remotely, managers need to use all possible tools to evaluate often the performance of their teams. Measuring performance at a weekly or even daily basis is a safe path to ensure that no parameter will go amiss. After all, efficiency is not the outcome of a process rather than an everyday successful practice of monitoring and evaluating.
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Address low performance now, not later.
Performance evaluation also entails being bold about it. Identify and discuss in a positive and constructive way the difficulties faced and the weaknesses on employees’ performance, so that they really benefit from the feedback. Low performance is an outcome that is affected by multiple factors. Communicate clearly, provide guidance and support, and help your employees overcome the obstacles instead of postponing the discussion. When corrective actions are done quickly, it more likely to revert the negative outcome.
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When the time comes, pay the compliment and reward.
Efficient employees need to be acknowledged and rewarded both ethically and practically. Management sometimes is focused to improve the performance of the ill-doers and forgets to acknowledge the good work of the committed and enthusiastic employees. Their exemplary performance will inspire the rest of the team to work more productively so recognizing their efforts is important.
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Show empathy.
The time is now for management and leadership to prove their empathy with employees. The pandemic caused a feeling of uncertainty; uncertainty about retaining our jobs, about our health and the health of our beloved ones. Show empathy and deep understanding for each employee. The pandemic calls for emotional management at a personal level.
Apart from the comprehensible eight ways to put to practice, LMW has developed advanced tools that manage employee efficiency. We regard each company as an entity where employees, culture and strategy are intercorrelated.
Our expert consultants liaise with the managers and develop an action plan that responds to the company’s needs and performance management issues. With all challenges of today’s environment, our inspired team will be glad to help you evaluate performance and improve your company’s efficiency to meet your goals.
