What challenges are you facing today?

Employee

Things to think about

  • Are there things that are keeping you from performing at your best? If so, what are they? 
  • What could be going better? What solutions do you have? 
  • Are there parts of your job you find draining? Can you find a partner and/or use one of your strengths to help? 
  • Is a work around possible? 
  • Be prepared for open, honest discussion and input from your manager on how to overcome obstacles.

Manager

Things to think about

  • Listen as your employees share obstacles that might be standing in the way of them performing their best. 
  • How can you provide guidance and support? 
  • What challenges have you observed as their manager?
  • What if they say they do not have any challenges?
  • What if they have a challenge but you are not sure how to help? 
  • What if they say that everything is fine, but you sense that it is not?

 

Ideas to keep the conversation fresh:
Employee
  • Do you feel like the team is working well? If yes, why? If not, discuss what changes could make the team more effective.
  • What hurdles in the workplace are causing your job to be more difficult?
  • Are there skills you are missing or would like to improve upon? How do you think we should go about filling those voids?
Manager
  • It is important to let your employees talk about things that are getting in the way of them performing at their best. 
  • Sometimes you will find a solution. Sometimes that might not be possible. 
  • Listening to their point of view lets them know that you care.