Should You Keep a Top Tier Employee if Their Overall Performance Begins to Decrease?

Many top managers have had this problem — they’re looking over department performance, and they find that one of the best people is no longer operating in an optimal way. It’s often us a surprise or a shock — why isn’t that shining star still delivering the goods?

In reality, there are many reasons why someone with a great track record might start to lag in terms of performance. It’s a complex question that needs to be answered with deliberation and care.

Assess the Issue

One of the first steps toward resolving this type of situation is to use all available business tools to assess how the performance has changed. It’s not enough to just say “hey, this person used to be better” — many businesses these days have business intelligence and performance tools that can show more clearly what’s happening. For instance, how many months has this been an issue? And what are the concrete, evident performance losses? This is a great place to start.

Talk and Plan

It’s often necessary to get the individual in question into a room. It’s best to pursue the initial conversation in a smart way. It has to seem non-punitive and collaborative. To anyone except for a total tyrant, it seems evident that people aren’t forced to do their best all the time — that outstanding performance comes from passionate motivation, and not fear of losing their jobs. So starting to plan a plan of action should be something that involves all stakeholders and doesn’t take a top-down approach. Try an informal conversation where you can get initial feedback from everyone involved.

Motivate the Individual

Lots of management theory would hold that if there’s a problem with people who have performed well in the past, it very well might be related to lack of support or motivating management. A good manager faced with this situation will look in the mirror first, and determine whether there are things that can be done to really inspire people who seem burned out or slowing down in their job roles.

The Transfer Solution

Another common solution is to talk about whether someone might prefer a change of scenery. Instead of trying to cut someone out of the equation, understand their situation and whether they may benefit from a different role. Someone who’s been in a high-pressure role for years might prefer to take a step back and do something slightly different, while still remaining a vital part of the company.

All of these approaches can help when you’re trying to solve a productivity problem. It’s important to remember that, despite terms like “human capital,” people aren’t just assets. They’re people. Approaching things from this standpoint can help managers solve all sorts of workplace issues, from productivity to conflict management.

About Full Steam Staffing

Full Steam Staffing is a full-service staffing agency in Modesto focused on providing clerical and light industrial staffing solutions to manufacturers, distribution centers and other organizations that need qualified, reliable workers. If you are currently looking to hire and grow your workforce, contact our team of skilled recruiters today!