Team Leader Training The Dead Weight Normal slide navigation has been disabled in order to ensure this training works properly. Macros must be enabled to complete training.

The Dead Weight Due to an ARI expansion, Jill recently relocated and became Team Leader of a newly created team. After a few months on the job, it becomes clear that one of her researchers is dead weight. That is, she clearly puts forth the minimum required effort for every task, volunteers for nothing, and consistently turns in uninspired work. While she has not been negligent in her job (i.e., termination is not an option), her performance is poor by several measures.

Question & Answer Session Q1. What should Jill do? Please list all of the considerations she must weigh as she works through this decision.

The Dead Weight (Continued) Jill pulls the researcher aside and explains her concerns. She tells her that she perceives that she is underperforming relative to her potential. She asks if there are particular projects in which she might involve her that would be especially motivating to her. She asks her to view her behavior from her perspective, those of the team, and the chief. Finally, she sets a series of goals together for the upcoming month and schedules an appointment at that time to evaluate her progress.

Lessons Learned, Slide 1 of 1 Communicate clear performance expectations. Provide prompt and useful feedback, both positive and negative, to individual researchers. Identify potential performance problems early on, and move quickly in dealing with them. Develop perspective taking on your team by urging researchers to consider poor performance from others’ viewpoints. Encourage initiative. Part of your role as a Team Leader is to motivate and inspire team members to excel. Take the time to get to know your researchers and find out what is motivating to them. Help them set goals that channel their particular interests and strengths toward the accomplishment of ARI objectives. Track and follow up on progress toward achieving those goals. Themes Developing Subordinates; Perspective Taking; Setting Expectations