20 “Cause And Effect” Actions That Inspire Outstanding Performance
By Barbara Brown, Ph.D.

You must understand the cause-and-effect of unsatisfactory performance if you want to inspire lasting improvements. For each of the following questions, take 15 minutes and brainstorm answers. Use these answers to create an action-plan for positive outcomes.

Skill/Knowledge

1. Do employees have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to deliver the kind of performance you desire?

2. Do employees have job aids available to assist with performance? If employees do have job aids available, do they use them?

3. How often do employees deliver the kind of performance you desire? Use the following scale as a gauge:

· Never
· Now and Then
· Most of the time
· All of the time

Work Environment

4. Is the workload too heavy?

5. Do employees have sufficient time to perform the work?

6. Does emphasis on quantity cause quality to suffer and vice versa?

7. Are there any performance criteria?

8. If yes, are the performance criteria too high?

9. Are employees and supervisors using the same criteria?

10. Do employees have control over the variables that influence the work?

11. Do employees have adequate authority to make decisions?

12. Are there effective processes and procedures for delivering outstanding performance?

13. Are the physical working conditions adequate for delivering outstanding performance?

Motivation and Incentive Questions

14. Are workers reluctant to perform the practices/activities (they’re dangerous, difficult, boring)?

15. Do employees get any feedback on how they are doing-good or bad?

16. Is there a positive consequence for incorrect performance?

17. Is there a negative consequence for correct behavior?

18. Is effort greater than positive consequences (is it worth it)?

19. Do practices/activities lack value (no purpose in doing it)?

20. Is there disagreement about how things should be done or who should be doing those things?

Top

~~<<>>~~

PERMISSION TO REPRINT: Articles, Tips, and Tools can be reprinted in company newsletters or magazines. If placed electronically, a Live Link to Dr. Brown's website must be included. Please use the following credit for every item: Dr. Barbara Brown shows organizations how to use High-Performance Leadership to create the kind of links among people, goals & performance that produce positive results. For more tips, visit: www.DrBarbaraBrown.com or email: Barbara@DrBarbaraBrown.com.