7 Barriers To Having High Performing Employees

Employees can really make the difference to the results that are achieved.  At the same time leaders and managers often do things that get in the way of having high performing employees.  Here are the top 7 barriers I notice.

Lack of Clear Expectations

Vague expectations of what is required of people leads to sub-optimal performance.  Yes it can be tough to define expectations and it is definitely worth doing.

Interfering Managers

You know the type who delegates a task and responsibility and then continues to micro manage everything.  If it is right for it to be delegated it is okay to get out of the way.

Indecisive Leaders

As a leader you have to take decisions and sometimes you have to make really tough decisions.  Indecision just frustrates and creates doubt and stops things from happening.  Remember that your success is based on your results.

Letting People Off The Hook

Accountability is often seen as being hugely negative.  At the same time if you don’t follow through and hold people to account some will not bother to give their best.  It also means that your best people end up getting overloaded.

Having Favourites

Chances are you are going to have people that you get along with more than others.  On the other hand having favourites merely creates divisions and loses the input of some.

Not Investing In Developing People

It’s the easiest thing in the world to cut.  Trust me I have done it.  Short term it seems great and long term it has really serious disadvantages.  You would not skip on the maintenance of a major piece of kit so why would you skip on the essential maintenance and development of your most important resource.

Not Looking To Use The Talent At Your Disposal

Good leaders and managers recruit good people.  While recruiting good people is really positive if you don’t fully utilise their talents it’s a wasted opportunity.

What else would you add to the list based on your own experiences?

Duncan Brodie helps organisations deliver better results through people.  Learn more here

About the Author Duncan Brodie

Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.

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