Excessive conscientiousness combined with a big heart can lead a leader to feel a constant sense of insufficiency. A caring and effective leader dares to also hold employees accountable and involves them in solving problems. Start developing your leadership skills with these tips!
Insufficiency is one of the most common emotions in working life. A leader who cares about their team wants everyone in the workplace to feel good, but sometimes nothing seems to be enough.
Work doesn’t always have to be fun – companies are driven by business objectives.
When team members consistently fall short of expectations and goals, a good leader needs to pause and reflect: Is there enough accountability to support genuine care? In other words, is the ‘loving pressure’ of leadership in balance?
Address underperformance
Underperformance is an abstract concept that first needs to be clarified for the employee.
Start the discussion by concretely illustrating the team’s goals. You could use your hands to visually demonstrate the target level and the level below it, where the employee currently stands. This makes it easier for the person to understand the situation.
Then ask: “How can I, as your leader, help you close this gap?” Follow up by asking what the employee plans to do themselves to bridge the gap.
This approach avoids a back-and-forth argument and shows that you genuinely care while also holding the employee accountable for solving the issue.
It’s a form of indifference to leave an underperforming employee to struggle alone.
Show genuine care
Sometimes poor performance is tied to personal issues. It’s impossible to fully separate private life from work because people bring their whole selves to the job.
Genuine care involves open conversations, showing interest, and a willingness to understand. It requires knowing your employees as individuals and practicing personalized leadership to find the right balance between caring and holding accountable.
These conversations shouldn’t be one-offs but regular, natural parts of everyday work. When an employee feels seen and understood, even in difficult situations, trust between the leader and team members grows stronger.
Approach with respect
Everyone wants to feel valued, even when receiving criticism about their performance or behavior. A good leader remembers to approach challenging discussions with respect. This makes it easier for employees to accept and act on constructive feedback.
Following up and making progress visible is equally important. This reinforces the feeling of being valued.
Genuine care and accountability are also signs of respect.
Start developing your leadership skills today!
- What makes a good leader?
- What does emotional leadership mean, and how can I develop my own leadership?
- How can I help my team perform better without burning myself out?
Read more about our Emergy® LEADER training program.
