Inadequate Productivity's Ugly Rear View

Joe Wynne is a versatile Project Manager experienced in delivering medium-scope projects in large organizations that improve workforce performance and business processes. He has a proven track record of delivering effective, technology-savvy solutions in a variety of industries and a unique combination of strengths in both process management and workforce management.

 

If you are a project leader and your workforce is suffering from low productivity, then you have a real sticky problem. Almost anything you say or do at this point will not go over well. See if these sound familiar.

Leader Communication: "I know we can do better out there! Look at your actions and avoid wasted effort. Stay focused!"

Unspoken Workforce Response: "Spare us the platitudes We have been working at least 50 hours each week. We are working smarter and harder."

Leader Communication: "This company/division/team has the expertise and experience to do better. I trust that you will improve productivity in the next quarter."

Unspoken Workforce Response: "This company's hierarchical structure and management style is a noose around our necks no matter what skills or experience we have."

It's hard to win in a situation where productivity has dropped. There will always be some kind of defensiveness. The best thing to do is to avoid this situation altogether.

First, know what realistic expectations to have.

• If your expectations are too high, then you will be the leadership equivalent of a thumbscrew.
• Determine realistic values for productivity measures reported and used in your organization.
• If necessary, assess the history of performance through other related projects to ensure capability is known.
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