Mediocrity only happens when we let it.  When an employee doesn’t follow rules and protocols and closes a big sale or brings a big gift into a nonprofit should they get glory?  What about all the rule followers who are doing what you want and will also succeed?  Why should the rule followers bother doing things right?

Management requires having difficult conversations.  It’s a key requirement in your staff’s knowing that you are fair and worthy of their trust.  But many managers find any conflict or giving any criticism too uncomfortable and just ignore the issue.  You shouldn’t ever let that be your choice.

Have the conversation!  But PREPARE for it in advance.  You would never present a PowerPoint without preparing first.  Ask yourself: what are you observing, what impact is it having on results, what impact on the rest of the team, what is your expectation, what help to change will this person need, how will they respond, how will you, what is the timeline to see change?  Then have the conversation!  You lead, don’t allow yourself to be distracted by excuses, and the truth is if this person says, “you need to understand…”…you don’t.  Fairly means that within this person’s skills, her/his job description, the team’s needs, his/her role and your expectations that they need to listen and respond.  Yes, they need a voice, but you need to stick to your plan and end up with an agreement that this behavior will change.

Now of course you need to be human, to manage with your head and your heart and make sure that every day your employees know what they do is important, they are valued and that they count with you.

I think corrective conversations should be held in private unless you are challenged in a meeting and need to stop an unacceptable comment there and then take the conversation off-line for later.  Positive feedback should be both in private and in public.  Let the team know you like to comment positively on their success, but are willing to hold them to task.  A good boss earns the evolving trust of employees when actions match words.