Three Tactics to Improve Performance Through Influence

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.

  Talent Management  

You have a significant problem from the start as a project manager when you lack direct supervisory authority over key players on the project team. To make matters worse, the project team may be temporary and you may lack history with workers or functional teams.

So what are effective ways to build a high-performing team? How do you use your influence to get work done?

Influence By Leveraging Performance Goals
You should be familiar with workers using SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-Constrained). It is a popular part of the performance programs. Unfortunately, these goals have been proven not to work unless behavior is connected to specific work situations.

That’s where you leverage your influence:

• Make sure workers know what to do in situations where they exhibit inadequacies. So, in your project, make sure those who are performing inadequately have a coaching conversation with you where you agree that "in situation X, the worker will do Y to meet his/her performance goal (or project goal) Z.

Example: "When you submit your team weekly update, you will allow plenty of time to complete the report template, including all relevant details. This will allow you to receive my high evaluations for your work as team lead and also allow necessary transparency for the project.”

• Early on, make sure workers …

Please log in or sign up below to read the rest of the article.