#71 | 11.22.24 - 5 Questions For Underperforming Employees / The Skill/Will Matrix / Pixar's Story Rules / The Microscopic World
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5 Questions For Underperforming Employees
Every leader, at some point, faces this uncomfortable dilemma: How do you handle an underperforming employee, and how do you know if it’s time for them to move on?It’s not the easiest topic to tackle, but it’s a crucial one. As leaders, we want to believe in the best version of every team member, which can sometimes lead to waiting, justifying mistakes, and holding onto hope longer than we should.
To bring clarity to these situations, here are five key questions you can ask yourself to decide on the next steps:
Would You Fight for Them? If an employee told you they received another offer, would you fight for them to stay? Your instinctive reaction can reveal whether this person is truly adding value or not.
Would You Hire Them Today? We all know we make hiring decisions based on a resume and a short conversation. That picture is incomplete at best, and the pixels start to fill in on day 1. Based on what you know now, would you hire this person again today?
Do They Make The Team Better? Is this employee making others around them better? Do they foster collaboration, or do their habits drag down morale and productivity? A great team member doesn’t just contribute individually—they lift the whole team.
Do They Represent Your Team’s Values? Does this employee embody the core values of your team or organization? I’m a big believer that skills can be taught, but alignment with values is harder to instill. Misalignment in values can signal deeper cultural issues beyond performance.
Have You Done Everything You Can? Before making any decision, ask yourself: Have you clearly communicated expectations? Have you given consistent, actionable feedback and the resources they need to improve? Sometimes, the issue isn’t just the employee—it’s a breakdown in leadership support.
These questions won’t always lead to an easy answer, but they will help you approach the situation thoughtfully and confidently. By taking time to reflect, you can make the best decision possible.
The Skill / Will Matrix
Danny Meyer is a legendary New York restauranteur. He's known for Shake Shack, Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, and others. On the Tim Ferriss Show, he revealed this simple (but brutally effective) 2x2 matrix. It's the best framework for people managers to decide WHO to spend their time on. He graphs two things: Willingness + Ability. Jade's LinkedIn article has some great practical takeaways.
Pixar Story Rules
Emma Coats, a story artist at Pixar, tweeted a series of “story basics” over a month and a half — guidelines that she learned on how to create appealing stories. Very interesting stuff. I particularly resonated with #14 regarding building presentations.
The Microscopic World
Nikon's annual Small World competition showcases images of a world that humans can't usually see, as captured through the lens of a microscope, and the winners have been announced!
Words to wrap up:
“There are 1,440 minutes in a day. You can afford to spend 60 them working on your dream.”
- Anonymous