Sunday, September 23, 2018
Hoops to Jump Through
Sometimes in challenging conversations with staff, we fail to share real concerns about job performance or fit. Instead, we will set a high hoop for the person to jump through. The hoop could be the number of people in a program, an educational attainment, or some other such thing.
The problem comes when the person jumps through the hoop. Their area may grow or they may get a new educational degree. Now you have someone who has jumped through your hoop. Yet, they are still not a fit with other staff members. What will you do now? The staff person did what you asked.
Instead of setting artificial hoops for the person, address the real issues. If they are not getting along with their peers, it is better to say that. Speak the truth about the staff issue. Don’t set an artificial hoop. They may jump through it.
