8 simple strategies for enhancing employee performance
Employee growth and performance are at the heart of a successful business, but how do you make sure your team is truly thriving? It’s not just about offering competitive pay—it’s about creating a work environment where people feel valued, engaged, and empowered to do their best. In this article, we’ll share eight simple yet effective strategies that can help you build a strong, motivated team and drive your business forward. Whether you’re looking to improve one-to-ones, set better objectives, or adopt a coaching mindset, these tips will help you unlock the full potential of your staff.
This article is based on information shared at our recent webinar on enhancing employee performance. Browse our upcoming free events to build your business skills.
1. Balance performance and reward
It's tempting to focus solely on pay and benefits to motivate your staff, but that’s only part of the equation. A successful people strategy also includes personal development, employee recognition, and career progression. Employees perform best when they feel valued beyond just their paycheck.
For example, a local startup focused all their resources on offering high pay, assuming it would lead to top performance. However, without nurturing and developing their staff, they ended up losing key contracts, which impacted their ability to deliver on pay promises.
2. Engage and empower your team
Can your employees clearly articulate your business strategy? If your team doesn’t understand the company’s goals, they’re less likely to work toward them effectively. Clear communication and alignment between individual performance and business objectives are key to keeping everyone on track.
Top tip: Link individual performance to business goals. If you're tying pay rises to performance, ensure the team understands how their efforts impact company success, and make sure their targets align with the current needs and future direction of the business.
3. The art of objective-setting
Your company’s mission should be reflected at every level—from overall business goals down to individual objectives. This helps ensure everyone understands how their role contributes to the bigger picture and overall business success.
Top tip: Break down your mission statement into company, team, and individual objectives to create a clear alignment between them.
4. Meaningful one-to-ones and appraisals
Both one-to-ones and appraisals play important roles in managing performance. One-to-ones are ideal for tracking short-term goals, checking in on well-being, and documenting any performance issues. Appraisals, on the other hand, are for reviewing past performance, planning for the future, and identifying development opportunities.
Top tip: Have employees write up their own notes from one-to-ones. This encourages accountability and helps them stay on track with their goals.
5. Distraction-free meetings
When holding a one-to-one or appraisal, ensure your employee has your full attention. A distraction-free environment allows them to feel comfortable raising any concerns or ideas.
Top tip: Put away phones and laptops during one-to-one meetings to eliminate distracting notifications, and foster better communication.
6. Identify and remove roadblocks
Encourage employees to write down any challenges or obstacles they face. Sometimes, employees don't realize what's holding them back until they reflect on it. By identifying these roadblocks, you can offer support or find solutions to help them move forward.
7. Prepare for appraisals
Appraisals should never come as a surprise. Both you and the employee should prepare in advance. Ask them to reflect on their performance and future goals ahead of time to create a productive discussion.
Top tip: When addressing poor performance, let the employee identify the issue first. This approach makes the conversation feel less confrontational and more constructive. By giving them ownership of the problem, you can focus on working together to find a solution.
8. Use coaching skills
Adopting a coaching mindset can improve employee engagement. Ask open questions that guide your staff towards the solutions to problems, and allow them to feel more ownership and pride. When employees feel involved in strategies, they’re more motivated to succeed.
Top tip: Always end meetings on a positive note. Even if performance wasn’t ideal, praise their effort or attitude to keep morale high.
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By following these simple strategies, you’ll create a positive, supportive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to perform at their best. A well-thought-out people strategy is key to helping your employees—and your business—grow.
For further learning, browse all upcoming free events to build your business skills. Or check out these articles:
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