Paula is a new manager. That’s the good news.
What to Do When You Inherit a Team That Isn’t Working Hard Enough
When a new manager inherits a team that is underperforming, it’s important to take swift action to reset unproductive norms. Start by getting feedback from trusted sources to ensure your concerns are founded and the team is genuinely lagging. Collect data about the frequency of the problems and do some rough calculations of the effect on costs, customer service, or other important business results. Then, reach out to colleagues and your boss to make sure you have their buy-in to remedy the problem. Without their support, your efforts may be in vain. Next, openly and publicly acknowledge the frequency of the concerns with your group, starting a dialogue. Don’t harp on the past. Instead, focus on the future while being firm that change must be immediate. Then, as you watch for compliance or correct transgressions, be sure to stick to your guns. It’s why you were selected to lead in the first place.