Your colleague is underperforming. How can you help them get back on track?

When a colleague is underperforming, it's important to approach the situation with empathy, support, and constructive feedback to help them improve and get back on track. Here's how you can support your colleague: 1. Open communication 2. Identify root causes 3. Set Clear Expectations 4. Provide Feedback and Coaching 5. Offer Resources and Support 6. Create a Development Plan 7. Provide Recognition and Encouragement 8. Monitor Progress and Follow Up 9. Address Persistent Issues 10. Maintain Confidentiality and Respect By approaching the situation with empathy, support, and constructive feedback, you can help your colleague overcome performance issues and get back on track to success.

Invite him/her to diner or lunch. Get in an informal setting. Ask about their lives and dreams. That works always! All the other managerial stuff is shortterm result…

The best approach is to first identify the root cause of your colleague's underperformance, which could stem from personal issues, skill gaps, unclear expectations, or burnout. Observe their behavior and work quality, checking for signs of stress or confusion. Listen attentively to their perspective. This approach fosters understanding, creating a supportive environment for addressing challenges and improves performance.

You can assist him/her in the following ways Start with empathy: Casually ask if they're okay, mention you noticed things seem tough and offer help. Listen actively: Give them your full attention, let them vent without judgment, and acknowledge their struggles. Team up to find solutions: Remind them of their strengths and brainstorm ways you can lighten their load (sharing tasks, offering resources). Be their cheerleader: Celebrate improvements and offer ongoing support. Respect their boundaries if they're hesitant to open up. By showing genuine care and offering practical help, you can create a supportive environment for them to thrive.

Talk to them openly and kindly to learn about their problems. Help them with any issues they're having. Give them more training or help if they need it. Make sure they know what they should do and give them feedback often. Encourage them to do their best and solve problems on their own. Say well done when they improve. Keep an eye on how they're doing and help when they need it. If things don't get better, ask a manager or HR for more help. It's important to be kind and supportive when helping a colleague who's struggling.

If a teammate's performance dips, a bit of targeted feedback and support can work wonders. Start by being specific and timely – instead of saying they’re falling behind, point out the missed deadlines on the last three reports. Show them how this impacts the team and suggest realistic ways to improve, like a useful training, a mentor, or a new tool to help them out. It's about recognizing their strengths while offering a hand to get back on track, fostering both their growth and team unity.

Consider that if it’s something that happens often and you do have clear goals and follow ups on a regular basis then you might need to let it go and work with someone else.. it might be hard in the beginning but it can be the right solution for both of you