Reasons for Non-Performance of Employees:
“People do what they do because of the consequences for them for what they do.”
Some of the main reasons* for non-performance are:
- They don’t know what they are supposed to do.
- They don’t know how to do it.
- They don’t know why they should do it.
- They think they are doing it (lack of feedback).
- There are obstacles beyond their control.
- They think it will not work.
- They think their way is better.
- They think something is more important (priorities).
- There is no positive consequence to them for doing it.
- There is a negative consequence to them for doing it.
- There is a positive consequence to them for not doing it.
- There is a no negative consequence to them for not doing it.
- Personal limits (incapacity).
- Personal problems.
- Fear (they anticipate future negative consequences).
- No-one could do it.
As you can see, there are many reasons for poor performance and coaching can help overcome emotional and psychological blocks and identify training needs or changes that are needed within a department to address some of these issues. The result will be either that the employee is much more motivated to work towards organisational goals or that he/she decides to leave.
Sometimes, the solution is very simple.
One manufacturing company brought in performance coaches because fragile items were being loaded into the back of a lorry and heavy items placed on top, resulting in many breakages. Despite being told several times to load the fragile items on the top, the problem continued. What the performance coach was able to establish was that the conveyor belt moved too quickly for the employees to pack up the goods and load them properly and they had no control over it’s pace. Only the supervisor could stop it and he often wasn’t around. Once the coach pointed out this problem to management and they gave the employees the power to stop the belt at any time, performance greatly improved and there were no more breakages. A simple but effective solution. The problem was caused by lack of communication and not allowing employees to take responsibility for their actions. Once this issue was resolved everyone was happier. It only took one coaching session!
*Excerpt from Coaching for Improved Work Performance - Ferdinand F. Fournies – McGraw-Hill