Proven strategies for maximizing employee commitment and performance As a manager, you know that employee performance is your most important asset—but are you making smart, well-thought-out efforts to leverage it to its fullest? Manager’s Guide to Performance Management helps you get the most out of your people by focusing on performance planning (instead of appraising), creating a dialog (instead of issuing directives), and solving problems (instead of pointing blame). Learn how to: Work with employees to create goals that are beneficial to everyoneObserve, gather data on, and document performanceConduct performance reviews in a cooperative, collaborative wayAddress thorny situations proactively and professionallyLeverage the powerful but often misunderstood process of “progressive discipline” Briefcase Books, written specifically for today’s busy manager, feature eye-catching icons, checklists, and sidebars to guide managers step-by-step through everyday workplace situations. Look for these innovative design features to help you navigate through each page: + Clear definitions of key terms and concepts + Tactics and strategies for managing performance + Tips for executing the tactics in the book + Practical advice for minimizing the possibility of error + Warning signs for when things are about to go wrong + Examples of successful performance management + Specific planning procedures, tactics, and hands-on techniques

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1. Performance Management: An Overview What’s Wrong with This Picture? Is There Hope? Performance Management: What Is It? What Performance Management Isn’t What’s the Payoff for Using Performance Management? Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 1 2. The Challenge of Performance Management Why Do So Many People Try to Avoid Performance Management? Criteria for Performance Management That Works When Performance Management Approaches Don’t Work Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 2 3. Performance Management as a System What Is a System? The Components of a Performance Management System Where Performance Management Fits into the Big Picture Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 3 4. Getting Ready: Preparing to Start the Process Gathering Your Information Preparing and Educating Staff Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 4 5. Performance Planning: Setting Targets Some Issues An Overview of the Performance Planning Process The Performance Planning Meeting The Follow-Up An Optional Step: Action Planning Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 5 6. Ongoing Performance Communication The Purpose The Outcomes (Communication + Deliverables) Formal Methods Informal Methods People Techniques Communication in Action Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 6 7. Data Gathering, Observing, and Documenting Why Do We Gather Data and Observe? What Do We Gather? What Do We Document? Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 7 8. Three Approaches to Evaluating Performance The Dilemma of Individual Performance Appraisal Rating Systems Ranking Systems Appraisal by Objectives and Standards Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 8 9. The Performance Appraisal Meeting What Makes the Process Work? Preparing and Scheduling The Appraisal Meeting Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 9 10. Performance Diagnosis and Improvement: The Key to Success Causes of Success and Less-Than-Success The Performance Diagnosis/Improvement Steps The People Process Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 10 11. Performance Management and Discipline The Meaning of Discipline Principles of Disciplinary Action The Purpose of Disciplinary Action/Consequences The Progressive Discipline Steps Disciplinary Process in Action Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 11 12. If It’s So Easy, Why Isn’t “It” Getting Done? Answers to Common Objections I’m Too Busy and You Are Asking Me to Do More Work The System We’re Forced to Use Is Dreadful. It’s a Wasteful Paper Chase. My Employees Hate the Appraisal Process If I Use a Cooperative Approach, Employees Will Take Advantage and I Will Lose Power Unless I Can Use Performance Appraisal to Reward Employees (Pay for Performance), There’s No Point Employees Won’t Like Me or Get Angry if I Have to Tell Them They Need to Improve Human Resources Won’t Let Me Manage Performance Properly Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 12 13. People Process, People Techniques Your People Mindset Essential Interpersonal Skills Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 13 14. Human Resources and Performance Management A True Story Departments and Performance Management and Appraisal What Should HR’s Role Be in Performance Management? Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 14 15. Revamping Performance Management Across the Enterprise First, the Errors Solutions for Revamping the Performance Management System Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 15 16. Performance Management in Action The First Step Toward Improving Performance Management Agreeing on Goals and Objectives Planning Performance with Staff Communicating About Progress and Solving Problems Preparing for the Yearly Review Reviewing and Evaluating The Outcomes Closing Comments Manager’s Checklist for Chapter 16 Epilogue Index