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HBR IdeaCast

When Your Employee Is Underperforming

Jun 25, 2024
Jenny Fernandez, a team and executive coach affiliated with Columbia and NYU, shares insights on tackling underperforming employees. She stresses the importance of frequent feedback and strong relationships between managers and staff. Discussing generational shifts, she notes that younger employees expect more direct evaluations. Additionally, Fernandez highlights the role of empathy in feedback and advocates for a collaborative approach to problem-solving, ultimately aiming to enhance team morale and reduce turnover.
25:16

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Increased feedback frequency and better relationships ease difficult conversations on underperformance.
  • Managers must adapt to younger generations' need for immediate, specific feedback to enhance performance.

Deep dives

The Importance of Providing Constructive Feedback

Giving negative feedback is crucial in ensuring employees and managers are on the same page. Constructive feedback, when delivered effectively, helps employees understand areas for improvement without feeling threatened or misunderstood. Without proper feedback, employees may disengage and seek other job opportunities, impacting team dynamics and organizational goals.

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