Managing a new generation of workers and hybrid working effectively requires regular performance conversations, clear direction and strategic alignment with business goals, writes Seán McLoughney
A new generation of workers requires a different approach to managing performance. Younger employees need and expect more frequent conversations about their performance and want clarity and direction in terms of their work and career progression.
Another issue facing managers is how best to manage working from home. The debate over hybrid working arrangements is ongoing, but there is a lot of research on the benefits and pitfalls of remote working.
While managers may prefer that their team works in the office, people often prefer the flexibility of working from home at least two days a week.
This presents a problem when it comes to managing performance, however. Managers tend to manage performance based on what they see and hear and their interactions with their team.
There is a lack of visibility when people work from home. This can lead to people feeling that their efforts are not being recognised and valued by management.
Here are simple steps managers can take to overcome these issues.
Give time and support
Show you care about your team by giving them your time and real support. Setting aside at least one hour once a quarter to focus on performance and career progression is the minimum that talented people expect.
This investment in your team is important in retaining your best people. On average, people will give you 1,900 hours of their time per year. How much one-to-one time do you give them as their manager?
Regular performance conversations are about more than just discussing people’s key targets and objectives.
These conversations also allow you to check in with people who work from home and keep up to date with what they are working on. Regular and meaningful conversations and feedback underpin a high-performance culture.
Discuss the business plan
Give context to your team’s performance by discussing your organisation’s business plan. Your role is to translate the business strategy at its highest level into what it means for the team and each individual within it.
People are more engaged when they know that their work matters. Discussing the business plan will show them how they can make a positive contribution to the business.
At a team meeting, outline the key areas of the plan and how it impacts the team. Describe what success looks like by the end of the year. Ask the team what they think needs to happen to achieve these expected results.
You can also encourage everyone to set goals for themselves based on this discussion. This will increase personal responsibility by fostering a sense of ownership for their performance.
Discuss strategy
Always explain the business reason when goals change.
Surviving in a dynamic business environment requires people to be flexible and agile because companies need to adapt to market conditions.
Ensure that everyone’s priorities are aligned with current team goals to stay on top of your ever-changing demands.
This will encourage your team to focus on what matters to your business in the present moment rather than spending time working on goals set at the start of the year, which are now outdated.
Regular performance conversations will bring clarity and direction to your team. They provide managers with a great platform to communicate expectation levels and ensure that their efforts are focused on the current priorities that matter.
Show real support
If the achievement of your business goals is dependent on how you manage your team and new team members, then it is important to show real support.
Set aside regular time for meaningful performance conversations regardless of where your team members are located, bring context to their efforts and ensure everyone is focused on current priorities.
Seán McLoughney is the founder of LearningCurve and author of Time Management, Meaningful Performance Reviews and Slave to a Job, Master of your Career, all published by Chartered Accountants Ireland
LOADING...