Managing Poor Performance Training

Managing Poor Performance Training

You know that moment when you realise one of your team members just isn't cutting it, but you've been putting off that difficult conversation for weeks? Maybe they're missing deadlines, their work quality has dropped, or they're affecting team morale. You're not alone - most managers dread dealing with poor performance because nobody teaches us how to handle these situations properly.

Here's the thing: ignoring poor performance doesn't make it go away. It actually makes everything worse. The underperformer gets more entrenched in bad habits, your high performers get frustrated watching someone coast, and you end up stressed about the whole situation. I've seen managers lose sleep over team members who should have been addressed months earlier.

This training gives you the tools to tackle poor performance head-on, but in a way that's fair, constructive, and actually gets results. We're not talking about coming down like a ton of bricks - we're talking about having honest, professional conversations that either turn things around or clearly document the path forward.

You'll learn how to spot performance issues early before they become major problems. We'll cover how to have those awkward conversations without making them personal attacks. You'll discover how to set clear expectations and create improvement plans that actually work. Most importantly, you'll understand when you've done everything you can and it's time to make the tough call.

The practical side of this training focuses on real workplace scenarios you'll recognise immediately. We'll role-play difficult conversations, practice giving feedback that doesn't crush people's spirits, and work through the documentation you need to protect both yourself and your organisation. You'll also learn how to support team members who want to improve while being firm with those who don't seem interested in changing.

What You'll Learn:
- How to identify performance issues before they become disasters
- The right way to document everything for HR and legal protection
- How to have performance conversations that motivate rather than demotivate
- Creating realistic improvement plans with measurable goals
- When and how to escalate issues to HR or senior management
- How to maintain team morale while dealing with problem performers
- The difference between capability issues and attitude problems
- How to give feedback that leads to genuine improvement
- Recognising when someone just isn't the right fit for the role
- Protecting yourself legally while being fair to the employee

The training also addresses the emotional toll that managing difficult situations takes on managers. It's tough being the person who has to deliver bad news or make hard decisions about people's livelihoods. We'll talk about how to stay professional while being human, and how to maintain your own wellbeing when dealing with challenging team members.

Available in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Geelong, Parramatta, and Online.

The Bottom Line:
Managing poor performance isn't about being the office bad guy - it's about being a responsible leader who cares enough about their team to address problems properly. When you learn to handle these situations professionally and fairly, you'll find that most performance issues can be resolved before they become major problems. And when they can't be resolved, you'll have the confidence and documentation to make the right decisions for everyone involved. Your good performers will respect you for it, and you'll sleep better knowing you're doing your job properly.