Confronting performance problems with clarity: how can you confront performance problems without alienating the people whose behavior you want to change?(Management & Careers)

Managing employee performance involves a special set of challenges. One of a manager's most difficult tasks is confronting employees whose performance does not measure up to expectations.

There are any number of issues to deal with. In the case of an employee who is consistently falling short, a manager may wonder, "Why does she focus on details instead of strategic issues?" Or, faced with an employee who withholds critical information or cooperation, one may think, "Why can't he follow through on his commitments?" And sometimes the performance that matters most is in the hands of community leaders whose actions lead one to wonder, "Why do they keep obstructing ...