While the idea of considering the people on your team or in your group or organization as “projects” could sound controversial and sterile, it’s a method I have tried to use working with business executives and leaders to try and get them to both focus their attention and to set rational and realistic goals for themselves and their teams. And given it’s the beginning of a new year, thinking about your 2016 projects is of course always energizing (well…if you’re a personal development dork like me anyway…).
The intent of this concept – to consider your people projects – is to basically try and convince any leader who is working with a team to realize that, whether it’s a star performer or an average contributor, the likelihood that they will change on their own is quite limited if you as their leader don’t spend time on it.
A quick example: An executive I know had a business development team that had several stars and one question mark. We discussed the questionable performer from time-to-time until at one point I told the group leader “Look, this person is not changing. And it’s not their fault. How many times have you met with him to discuss his goals and your expectations? How often do you check in and offer support, guidance and feedback? Have you established a consistent rhythm of communication and accountability – specifically around their performance and development?” The answer was no. This was a busy executive and other than group sales meetings, occasional joint sales calls and an annual review, little effort to focus on the development of the sub-par player had been applied consistently over a period of time.
So what should a manager expect? Your “A” players are often self motivated, driven to evolve, and thrive on positive feedback and rewards. Thus, often its precisely the question marks that need help. Their development is your job – their development is a project. And if you ignore the project, or have so many projects (or other things to focus on) that you don’t focus on THIS project, what should you expect? Do you think they will change of their own accord? If you want something (or someone) to change, grow and evolve – consider it a project – apply effort to it – and it will move. It might not move as fast or as far forward as you would like, and then you can make whatever decision you want. But if you ignore the project, you have no one to blame but yourself for its continuation on the same path…