Improving Employee Performance

Organizations continually search for ways to improve workplace performance and increase efficiencies, for several reasons. It's a domino effect...the better the employee performance, the better the customer service. This leads to a better reputation which can result in better sales. Improving workplace performance features changing behaviors which is no easy task. The best way to start is from the top, down. Managers and supervisors who follow certain tactics as it relates to communication, listening and understanding themselves and others can make a huge impact.

Communicate Effectively

Effective communication can be the key to employee performance, efficiencies and eventually, employee morale. A few steps to follow, no matter what the project, are as follows:

1. Speak in Terms of the End Result.
With an end result effectively communicated, all involved will understand what it means to be successful. Just by naming the end result, employees will immediately begin reviewing the steps in their minds to achieve that end result and unnecessary questions will be eliminated.

2. Clarify Expectations.
Many times, expectations are not communicated clearly. Even in cases where communication is frequent, there is misunderstanding involved. Once the end result is stated, other expectations should be covered... both obvious and subtle. Examples might be what the priorities are in a list of tasks, how long a project should take, and what resources to consider. The more specific the expectations, the less time is wasted gathering too much information or going in a different direction.

3. Touch Base Again... and Again.
Once you are sure that your expectations and goals are clear, be sure to touch base with your employees often. This is not the same as micro-managing. By simply making yourself available to your employees, efforts towards various projects can stay on-course.

Listen Carefully

We've heard this time and time again but there's a reason for that! Many people don't take in all the facts they need to because their minds drift, they are preparing a rebuttal or they are processing one statement while several other statements are being made. Pay attention by keeping your eyes on the speaker and try to drown out other conversations or noises. Be prepared to relay back to the speaker what you heard so that you are sure you got it covered.

Know Who You're Dealing With
Getting an understanding of why people act and react the way they do is very helpful when you are working closely together. For that matter, knowing your own strengths and weaknesses when dealing with others is even more important! There are a variety of related assessments including Emotional Intelligence (measures a person's ability to work with others) and Social Style. Determining a person's Social Style gives you insight into what motivates that person and what they feel comfortable with. The main idea behind Emotional Intelligence is being aware of your emotions and your coworkers so that you can communicate effectively.