When a manager walks into their boss’s office and says “Johnny is a poor performer” — they think they’re reporting a problem. What they’re actually doing is signaling one. Because the first question in that room, spoken or not, is always: “What have you done about it?” This post covers what leadership is quietly evaluating when you bring them a struggling employee, how to have the honest conversation most managers are afraid of, and why that conversation is the kindest thing you can do — for Johnny and for yourself.
Your Job Isn’t to Fix Them
What nobody told you about managing underperformers — and what most managers never figure out on their own.
If you manage people, at some point, you’ve had a Johnny. Johnny isn’t delivering. Johnny doesn’t seem to get it. You’ve hinted to Johnny. You’ve talked to Johnny. You may have said something in a performance review that felt honest to you but, in retrospect, was softened enough that its real meaning slid right past him. And now you’re frustrated — because nothing is changing.
Leadership Development, Why Management Careers Stall
Managers aren’t failing because they’re stubborn. They’re failing because no one ever taught them how to manage. This post explains why management training vanished, why even seasoned leaders repeat the same mistakes, and how employees—managers and senior ICs alike—can use these principles to level up and stand out.
Successful Manager Series: Introduction
Managers aren’t failing because they’re stubborn. They’re failing because no one ever taught them how to manage. This post explains why management training vanished, why even seasoned leaders repeat the same mistakes, and how employees—managers and senior ICs alike—can use these principles to level up and stand out.