You can definitely rebuild trust and productivity after a team member misses deadlines. Start with an open conversation to understand why deadlines were missed, and listen without judgment. It’s important to clarify expectations moving forward so everyone is aligned. Then, collaborate to create a plan that breaks tasks into manageable steps and offer your support. Regular check-ins can help monitor progress and allow for adjustments, keeping accountability while showing you care. Don’t forget to acknowledge any improvements, no matter how small, to boost morale and rebuild confidence. With empathy and collaboration, you can restore trust and enhance productivity within the team.

Yes, start by having a candid conversation to understand the root cause and show support. Set clear expectations together, breaking tasks into smaller milestones. Offer resources or adjust workloads if necessary. Regularly check in on progress without micromanaging, and recognize improvements. By focusing on solutions and maintaining open communication, you can rebuild trust and encourage accountability.

Communication is key, but your role relative to this teammate will dictate who you speak to and about what. I always try to understand WHY someone's motivation or output are lacking. Is it desire? Skillset? Life circumstances? Once you (or their manager if you are not able to glean such details) have this context, you're able to figure out a plan to rectify. As a startup founder and veteran, I have to push and say, if you're at a small co, fire fast. If the skills or attitude needed aren't there, you probably don't have the time or other resources needed to fix it and its best for everyone to cut ties early vs hurting team morale trying to save one teammate.