Constructive Confrontation
Preparing to Confront an Employee
One of the worst mistakes managers make is going into a performance meeting unprepared. Take the following steps to prepare for your next performance meeting.
- Prepare a written document listing the employee’s specific performance problems. Include date, times, specific numbers in regard to absenteeism and tardiness and specific examples of accidents or complaints.
- Outline your objectives. Determine specific objectives for the employee to accomplish and the date you will meet to further review performance.
- Organize information into easily referenced notes. It is easy to get sidetracked during a tension-filled meeting. Having notes will help you stay on track and keep you focused on your objective.
- Anticipate the employee’s reaction. Managers generally know their employees well enough to predict their reactions. Are they likely to be aggressive, defensive, non-communicative, etc.?
- Set the time and location of the meeting. Schedule the meeting as close to the performance issue as possible. Hold the meeting in a neutral, non-threatening location where you will not be disturbed by noise, phone calls, etc.
