Creating momentum when an employee is stuck
AI Summary
This article provides a framework for managers to address unproductive employee behavior by balancing empathy with clear, directive communication. It emphasizes identifying the 'why' behind a conversation, acknowledging the employee's underlying concerns to reduce defensiveness, and providing a 'start' action to replace a 'stop' behavior. The author suggests using a measured approach, starting with collaborative alignment before escalating to blunt, bottom-line directives if necessary.
Key Takeaways
- Define your 'why' before the conversation to maintain focus on business outcomes.
- Always pair a 'stop' request with a 'start' action to provide a clear path forward.
- Acknowledge the employee's concerns first to lower their defensive 'fight-or-flight' response.
Why it matters
Engineering managers often struggle to balance team harmony with the need for project velocity. This guide offers a practical, repeatable methodology for navigating difficult feedback conversations without damaging professional relationships.
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