Role of Managers in Employee Performance Tracking
Managers, have you ever wondered how your role in employee performance tracking can significantly influence the success and productivity of your team ? Organizations focus on building high-performing teams to maintain competitive advantage has led to evolving managers’ roles from direct supervision to strategic oversight. Managers act as the linchpin, bridging the gap between organizational goals and individual contributions. By implementing effective performance tracking systems and strategies, managers can empower their teams to achieve greater heights of success.
A manager must instead focus on setting clear goals, providing the necessary support and assistance to employees, while still allowing them to make their own decisions. This will foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among employees, leading to increased engagement and productivity. In addition, it allows managers to reward high performers while providing feedback to underperformers. But how can managers implement a robust system that balances both employees and the organization? These are a few things managers can do to make performance tracking an exception rather than a norm in their roles:
1. Clearly Communicate Performance Standards :
Performance dips occur when employees don’t know what’s expected of them or how to excel. Managers who clearly define performance standards reduce ambiguity among employees, leading to improved performance. Similarly, focusing on communicating performance standards in an objective, actionable, and measurable way is imperative. Employee performance tracking helps managers set individual goals for team members based on their strengths and weaknesses for better achievement. Further, it makes employees believe their targets are rational and achievable. When metrics aren’t communicated well, the link between individual effort and company objectives becomes obscure or diluted. Defining provides managers with a yardstick to measure what is acceptable and where they need improvement.
Zil Pandya, Consultant – Organizational Development and Strategic HR Practices at NamanHR, further adds, “Managers are expected to set clear expectations both through dialogues (not just one-way communication), but also by setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-Bound) goals. This will help create employee buy-in towards the identified organizational objectives.”
2. Identify and Resolve Performance Barriers :
Effective managers do not stop at setting goals for their team members but actively monitor employee performance and proactively identify any barriers that may impede their success. Whether it’s inadequate resources, unclear expectations, skill gaps, or personal challenges, managers can analyze the root causes of these barriers to gain a comprehensive understanding. Once identified, they can then provide the necessary support, resources, and guidance to help employees overcome these obstacles. They may adjust expectations and goals, offer additional training or mentoring, and implement tailored solutions. By addressing performance barriers, managers create an environment that fosters continuous improvement, empowers employees to reach their full potential, and ultimately drives overall team success.
3. Conduct Regular Meetings :
Employee performance tracking requires frequent, honest, open, and effective communication to ensure expectations are met. It is time to extend beyond quarterly or monthly performance reviews and provide regular feedback on employees’ performance. Keeping team members engaged in daily shift huddles, toolbox talks, and after-action reviews is crucial to success.
Hitesh Soni, Senior Consultant – HR Practices and Solutions, NamanHR elaborates, “As Managers, there needs to be formal performance reviews at regular intervals, such as quarterly or mid-year. It should involve a comprehensive evaluation of an employee’s performance, including strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments, and areas for development.”
By discussing ongoing projects and tasks, they can assess performance against set goals and identify any potential challenges or roadblocks. Ultimately, conducting regular meetings with team members establishes a robust feedback loop, encourages continuous learning, and allows one to make course corrections for increasing their performance and enhancing overall performance tracking.
4. Documenting Performance :
Gallup says 26% of employees consider performance reviews unfair. Employee performance documentation reassures them they are evaluated fairly. Recording and maintaining employee performance, achievements, and areas for improvement are crucial for managers.
“However, maintaining a performance diary of one’s own self is not sufficient. Managers equally have to document the performance of their team members by recording his/her observations on performance goals, behaviors, and growth while noting developmental Inputs with instances to support the performance dialogues.” adds Zil Pandya, Consultant – Organizational Development and Strategic HR Practices at NamanHR.
By systematically tracking employee performance, managers can objectively assess and measure progress against set goals and objectives. Managers should ensure that there is no bias in recording employee performance. In performance evaluations, these documentations provide concrete evidence to support feedback and recognition. This also helps to create a more equitable and transparent workplace, which is essential for employee morale and engagement. Further encouraging employees to set higher goals and strive for better performance. Finally, targeted training programs can be developed based on this data.
5. Recognize Achievements :
According to recent studies, 51% of employees state that recognition from their managers is important. Recognition serves as a form of feedback that reinforces the desired performance outcomes, encouraging individuals to strive for excellence. Our Consultant, Zil Pandya, seconds that, ”Recognition – Monetary or non-monetary helps boost the intrinsic motivation of employees that shall in turn have a positive effect on the performance for one self as well as others. Thus, rewards and recognition act as one of tools for creating an environment of healthy competition.”
By tracking employee performance, managers can identify individuals who consistently exceed expectations and contribute significantly to the success of the organization; whether through formal recognition programs or simply acknowledging good work during team meetings. This approach helps remove biases or subjective judgments, ensuring that recognition is based on actual performance and results. By actively recognizing and celebrating high performers, managers create a culture that values and rewards outstanding performance. This fosters a positive work environment and drives overall team and organizational success.
In the midst of uncertain times, including recessions and the looming possibility of layoffs, the role of managers in employee performance tracking becomes even more crucial. In today’s ever-changing business landscape, organizations face the challenge of doing more with fewer resources. By closely monitoring performance, managers can identify areas where employees excel and leverage those strengths to overcome challenges. Moreover, by actively engaging in performance tracking, managers demonstrate their commitment to the growth and development of their employees, fostering a sense of security and trust during uncertain times. This empowers employees to embrace new responsibilities, adapt to changing circumstances, and contribute to the organization’s resilience and long-term success.
In this way, managers play a vital role in not only tracking employee performance but also nurturing a culture of resilience and agility that enables organizations to thrive in the face of adversity.
