Managers Guide: What is Performance Management?

Could you define performance management?

Performance management is the process of managing staff throughout a business year to give them the motivation, skills and focus to deliver their best. It should be a two way process between the manager and employee and involves setting and clarifying objectives, regular discussions – monthly 1 to 1 discussions are ideal – coaching, and feedback.

Unfortunately, the term ‘performance management’ has too often been associated with managing under performance, and the HR/disciplinary process that people are put through when deemed to be under-performing. This is unfortunate, because if managers were managing effectively this would be so much less likely to happen. If performance management is done effectively across the entire year, these concerns will be nipped in the bud before they become issues that are too big to conquer. Regular discussion helps everyone stay on the same page, and managers understand how their staff are feeling before they decide to hand in their notice!