One of your most challenging leadership moments: sitting across from a team member whose performance isn't meeting expectations. You care about them, but results matter too.
Engagement Message
How do you balance compassion with accountability when someone's struggling?
The key insight: underperformance conversations require both empathy and clarity. Empathy without clarity enables continued problems. Clarity without empathy damages relationships and trust.
You need both to create positive change while preserving dignity.
Engagement Message
When have you seen leaders lean too heavily toward one or the other?
Before any conversation, diagnose the root cause. Is this a "skill" issue or a "will" issue? Skills can be taught and developed. Will involves motivation, attitude, or engagement.
Same symptoms, completely different solutions. Getting this wrong wastes everyone's time.
Engagement Message
How might you tell the difference between skill and will problems?
Skill-based underperformance shows up as: trying hard but missing the mark, asking for help, frustrated by their own mistakes, or succeeding in some areas but struggling in others.
The solution involves training, mentoring, clearer processes, or additional resources.
Engagement Message
Can you think of someone who fits this skill-based pattern?
Will-based underperformance looks different: meeting some expectations but not others, inconsistent effort, attitude changes, or avoiding certain responsibilities altogether.
This requires different conversations about motivation, fit, expectations, or sometimes career changes.
Engagement Message
What signals suggest someone's will rather than skill is the issue?
