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Is it pretty typical that top performers like the 03s and bottom performers hate them?

I've been doing one-on-ones for about 2.5 months now and I'm finding that my top performers really like them and (I think) look forward to them. My bottom performers seem to dread them and today one told me that he feels "micro-managed."

This makes sense to me logically, but just wanted to throw it out to the audience to see if you've had similar experiences.

jhack's picture

You'll find some thoughts on the matter here:

http://www.manager-tools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3091

It's not the top or bottom performers that like or dislike O3's - folks who wish to be better like them, folks who would like to coast don't.

John

AManagerTool's picture

Don't be sensitive to the "micro-managed" label. Early on, with my team they told my boss that I micro-manage when I set deadlines with then and hold them to the deadlines they set. Just plain silly!

They are wrong. I have been micro-managed and holding O3's ain't even close to it!

HMac's picture

[quote="rgbiv99"]Is it pretty typical that top performers like the 03s and bottom performers hate them?[/quote]

No.

Why would it be?

If the O3 is used to build the relationship, it would then have to follow that bottom performers don't want to build relationships with you.

But if their perception is that you're using O3's to track and confront performance, then it's likely that bottom performers will hate them.

Ask yourself what you're focusing on during O3's, through your questions and the topics you generally cover in each. You may find that [i]how you're using [/i]the O3's has a greater correlation with their reactions that simply the act of having O3's.

But you're having the O3's - and that's great! You're already better than 90% of the the other managers out there!

-Hugh

AManagerTool's picture

O3's are about relationships. Should be no reason for fear and loathing here.

It's the tactical, staff and late stage coaching (My dad called them "come to Jesus, talks") meetings that the low performers should fear and hate...LOL.

rgbiv99's picture

Thanks for the info everyone.

You are all completely right, as usual. I tend to use the 03 as a tactical meeting (as Jemflower was saying in another thread) and in this particular case we review deadlines and that is what my direct was describing as micro-management.

I need to make these more about the relationship in the future. I know that I'm a high D because I have an extremely difficult time paying attention when the conversation isn't about tasks. It is something that I'm aware of and am working on. Mark makes it seem so effortless! :wink:

TomW's picture
Training Badge

[quote="rgbiv99"My bottom performers seem to dread them and today one told me that he feels "micro-managed." [/quote]

I would be this person has never actually been managed at all before and does not know how to handle it.