Most managers spend a lot of time thinking of ways to get the most out of their top performers — and improve the performance of the worst. But the majority of employees are somewhere in the middle.
That’s why it’s important for managers to avoid letting these employees wallow in mediocrity. Here are two ways to get more out of your average performers:
1. Offer frequent, specific performance feedback. If you rely solely on annual reviews to give feedback to middling performers, you’re missing out on prime opportunities to improve their performance. Reason: These workers usually don’t have any major performance problems. So even though they may get satisfactory overall review score, there are probably a number of specific areas in which they can improve.
2. Perform a Fit Test. In addition to regular performance reviews, Anthony Tjan suggests that managers take an honest look at whether or not an employee is in a position that truly fits his or her skills and talents — and talking to that employee about career advancement. A Fit Test can help a manager determine if an employee is right for his or her position — or even for the company.