Read the following definitions of an underperformer and see whose name(s) pop into your head or who these remind you of.
Wiktionary:
...having performance that is below average or below expectations
...to perform less than (another of its kind, general average, etc.) or less well than expected
The Free Dictionary
...to perform not as well as (something else); to perform too seldom; to exhibit a level of performance that is below the standard
Merriam-Webster
...to do worse than; to fail to do as well as expected
And if that doesn't help you identify your underperformers, how about these synonym words and phrases:
floundering
failing
flunking
cratering
folding
collapsing
blundering
missing the mark
going down
lacking success
fizzling
tanking
drifting
slipping
going awry
going down
bungling
hitting the skids
dissatisfying
disappointing
going bust
flummoxing (my personal favorite)
stalling
losing power
going kaput
giving up
blowing it
failing miserably
If any of these define one or more of your employees, please take steps sooner than later.
Do your underperformer and yourself a favor and have a conversation, identify the root cause and create a performance plan to improve within a reasonable time frame.
And recognize when your underperformer is no longer a good fit for your team or department and take action.
Don't be so 'busy' that you fail to frequently assess your team's work output, behavior, skill and knowledge. Don't wait for annual performance reviews when it's too late and the damage is done.
Underperformers can operate under the radar for a long time with distracted managers.
Pay attention.
You've got this!
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