Your colleague's personal issues are impacting their work. How can you help them improve their performance?

1 Offer Support

If you notice your colleague struggling, the first step is to offer a supportive ear . Approach them privately and express your concern in a non-judgmental way . Let them know that you've noticed a change in their performance and ask if everything is okay. It's important to listen actively and provide reassurance that you're there to help. However, respect their privacy; they may not want to disclose personal information, and that's okay. Your role is to be supportive, not to pry.

2 Set Boundaries

While it's important to be supportive, you also need to set clear boundaries . It's not your responsibility to solve your colleague's personal issues. Encourage them to seek professional help if the situation seems beyond what can be handled within the workplace. Meanwhile, help them focus on what can be controlled at work. Setting boundaries will protect your own emotional well-being and ensure that the professional environment remains productive and positive for the entire team.

3 Encourage Balance

Encouraging a healthy work-life balance is key. Suggest that your colleague take advantage of any available flexible working arrangements or time-off policies. Remind them of the importance of self-care and disconnecting from work outside of business hours. By promoting balance, you help them create space to deal with personal issues without letting them completely overtake their professional responsibilities.

4 Provide Resources

Your organization may have resources such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers counseling or support services. Inform your colleague about these resources and encourage them to make use of them. These programs are designed to help employees navigate personal challenges while maintaining their job performance. Knowing that there are professional resources available can be a relief for someone facing personal difficulties.

5 Adjust Expectations

Sometimes, temporarily adjusting expectations can be beneficial. Discuss with your colleague whether there are specific tasks they are finding challenging and explore ways to redistribute workload or extend deadlines. This does not mean lowering standards permanently but rather providing a realistic framework for them to succeed while managing their personal situation.

6 Monitor Progress

After implementing supportive measures, it's important to monitor your colleague's progress . Have regular check-ins to discuss their workload and any ongoing challenges they may face. Offer feedback on their performance, highlighting improvements and areas that still need attention. Remember that recovery from personal issues can be a gradual process, and continued support might be necessary for some time.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?