Box of delight

We continue the search for pioneering workplace practices. We visit companies. We talk to academics. We interview CEOs, entrepreneurs and employees. Our aim is to learn how to make work more fun. The results are on our ever expanding Bucket List.

One place we haven’t yet visited in person is Netflix. However, we are inspired by the book “Powerful”, written by Patty McCord, their former Chief Talent Officer. And one key reason is because of how they give feedback—including how they ditched the frustrating annual performance reviews.

Before returning to Netflix, let’s step back and take a look at….


THE ANNUAL MISERY
These are common. Once a year, a manager sits down with subordinates to rate their performance. And these sessions usually trigger stress, frustration, or resentment. Here’s why:

Add coaching to my already busy schedule? I can’t! I don’t have time. I don’t know how, and no one is paying attention, anyway.” These are common responses from leaders when they’re asked — or told — to add coaching to their already overloaded plates.

All over the world, leaders are using coaching to gain a competitive edge. But does coaching solve every problem one might encounter in the workplace? No. It’s not a panacea. Determining when coaching is a good investment can be challenging.

Consider the following scenarios where managers shouldn’t coach:

Here’s a list of some of the best team building problem solving activities to start getting the best out of your team. Having a great team of professionals is not enough unless you start getting them to solve complex problems and bring out the best to the desk as a team. Whether it is a specific project you are targeting or just to keep the team on their toes for an unexpected crisis management, team building exercises work the best to produce quick results and get a good look at where the team stands.

If you are faced with a situation where you need to work people who do not have any belief in themselves, it is important for you to show that belief in them. Believing the best in people usually brings the best out of people. As Mark Twain once said, “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”