Your team member is constantly missing deadlines. How can you get them back on track?

Getting to the root cause of why deadlines are being missed is key! Nothing will change in terms of performance unless you can not only understand this yourself... but help your team member explore and understand this too! They might be aware of what the challenge here is... but they also might not fully realise what the blocker is. Often we're quick to jump to explanations around a training need.. but more than likely is not what will improve performance. There might be a need for just more than one conversation to really dig in to the cause... and there will be a need to look inwards too and see if as their manager you need to do anything differently. This conversation should be done with a balance support and challenge.

1. Es importante agendar una reunión con los miembros del equipo que están incumpliendo. 2. Como punto de partida hay que preguntar qué es lo que está pasando y si requieren de algún tipo de ayuda. 3. Entender las causas que están haciendo que no cumplan con los deadlines. 4. Indicarles que deben levantar la mano si es que no llegarán porque de no hacerlo, entonces su profesionalismo no queda tan bien. 5. Siempre se pueden negociar nuevos tiempos o en todo caso tu puedes definir que dejen de hacer algún otro proyecto para que acaben el que tiene prioridad. 6. Deben enfocarse y medir su productividad, porque podría hacer que estén haciendo tareas innecesarias. Pero para eso estás tú para dar soporte y ayudar.

Begin by having a one-on-one conversation with the team member to understand why they are missing deadlines. Are there personal issues, unclear expectations, workload management problems, or are they struggling with certain tasks? It's important to identify the root cause to address the issue effectively.

Clearly communicate what is expected of them in terms of deadlines and deliverables. Ensure they understand the importance of meeting deadlines and how their work impacts the rest of the team and overall project. Set realistic and achievable deadlines.

Clarify Expectations: Review project scope: Ensure the employee has a clear understanding of the project goals and deliverables. Set clear deadlines: Establish specific deadlines for each phase of the project.

Develop a Performance Improvement Plan: Work together to create a performance improvement plan with clear, achievable goals and deadlines. Outline specific actions they need to take and provide regular check-ins to monitor progress. Implement Time Management Strategies: Help them develop or improve their time management skills. This could include setting priorities, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and using tools or techniques to stay organized.

In the workplace, support for team members is crucial for their success. To provide effective support, it's important to identify the specific modifications or assistance they need to thrive in their roles. Regular catch-ups should be held, going beyond operational requirements, allowing for a more personalised approach that addresses their individual needs.

Once you understand the challenges they are facing, offer support. This could be in the form of additional training, resources, or help in prioritizing and managing their workload. Encourage them to reach out if they feel overwhelmed or stuck.

Provide resources: Offer additional resources or training if needed. Address personal challenges: If personal issues are affecting performance, offer support or resources.

Keep track of their progress with regular check-ins. This can help ensure they are on track and provide an opportunity for them to raise any concerns. Use project management tools to create a transparent workflow where progress can be monitored by everyone.

Provide constructive feedback regularly, not just when deadlines are missed. Recognize improvements and address setbacks promptly. Maintaining open lines of communication helps in creating a supportive environment where they can learn and grow.

When you notice improvements and on-time completion of tasks, acknowledge and reward their success. This positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and reinforce the importance of meeting deadlines.