Q. How do you encourage
employees to excel in their
jobs?
Acknowledge and reward
good performance. There’s not a
day that goes by that I’m not giving someone kudos for a job
well done. There’s the oral communication, the pats on the
back. Then there’s the more formal acknowledgements in writing a memo to their personnel
file acknowledging a success
story or an achievement that’s
been made.
Provide opportunities for
employees to step up to handle
additional responsibility within
the organization. Stay abreast of
best and current practices and
encourage and provide ongoing
staff training. Review performance informally and formally on
a regular basis.
We have clearly defined performance objectives for each
employee. These objectives are
established using the organization’s strategic goals and objectives. On a regular basis, each
employee’s progress made on
their individual performance
objectives is monitored through
written reports or other measurable outcomes.
As employees demonstrate
their ability to meet objectives,
over time, they are given additional responsibility within the
organization.
Q. How do you deal with a
person who may not fit in with
the team?
Identify privately, clearly and
professionally how and why he
or she is not meeting expectations. Offer the tools and time
he or she needs to get on board
and produce the desired results.
If there are other areas in the
organization where his or her
skills would be better utilized,
offer that alternative opportunity. If necessary, separate
employment before he or she
becomes a drag on the rest of
the team.
Q. How do you develop trusting relationships with your
employees?
Do what you say you’re going
to do. Give credit to and acknowledge those who achieve desired
outcomes. Developing a system
to identify, track and monitor
tasks and priorities helps to
ensure things get done according to the timelines we’ve established. …
Recognition along the way is
important. We like to celebrate
progress, and when we reach a
goal not only celebrate it and
acknowledge the individual but
also the larger picture we need
to celebrate and communicate
to all of our employees what the
team has accomplished.
HOW TO REACH: Exceptional Children’s Foundation, (310) 204-3300 or www.ecf.net
