Leadership Workshops

Performance Management and Difficult Conversations

"If you perform well, we'll get along just fine. If you don't you are going to give me push-ups."
– Colin Powell.

Skillful leaders know that every performance tells a story. They pay attention and respond skillfully, rewarding strong performance and issuing "push-ups" when they are necessary. Along the way followers learn more about their strengths and weaknesses as the organization grows ever stronger and more capable. But a fear of conflict and an aversion to pain causes many leaders avoid the most important and often difficult conversations.

Poor performers present the tests of conscience that leave leaders hesitating and unsure. In this foundational workshop participants discover an approach to managing performance that serves both people and the organization, learning that the most caring leaders don't have to choose between the organization and people. We examine the process, but more importantly, the big forces that hold leaders back - pain and conflict. Participants learn how to respond to performance both good and poor and focus on the difficult conversation with small group role plays. This is a must have workshop for every team that hopes to reach for its fullest potential.

Workshop Overview:

• Performance management and the corporate body
• The performance cycle
• Three essential concepts: the corporate body, job fit and accountability.
• Encouraging strong performers
• Knowing when to end a relationship
• The dynamics of pain and conflict
• 9 Keys to constructive conflict and the difficult conversation
• Avoiding "Tin Ear Syndrome"
• Progressive discipline
• Meeting the test of fairness

The off-site leadership development you have been waiting for and the ideal addition to your leadership curriculum. These affordable and highly acclaimed 1/2 day workshops will equip the members of your leadership team with the practical skills they need to build team performance. Check out the course offerings for Winter 2016 here.   Learn More »

"Dan has the ability to bring all aspects of leadership into sharp focus by bringing his wealth of personal experiences blended with his currency in current leadership thinking. One on one as a coach-mentor or in a team building workshop Dan brings instant credibility to topics that one does not normally think of in daily routines. He provides ample insights where one can improve upon current practice. Dan's passion for the role of a Leader is truly stimulating and instills a sense of renewed purpose."
– Les Panek, Senior Vice President, Environment, AMEC Earth and Environmental