The Right Place. . .

Here is the problem with "I won't pass a problem employee on to another department."  It fails to differentiate what the problem might be.  If the problem is attendance, insubordination, failure to get along with others. . .there is strong merit in dealing with the issues and not passing the challenges on down the chain.

If, however, the problem is production, a seemingly unmatched skill set to the task at hand, failure to exploit opportunities. . .it is then a classic case of the wrong person in the wrong job.  Our task is then to find the right place.

Time and time again I have seen this dynamic:   an individual is an average, or perhaps even sub-par performer in their given task.  A different opportunity comes along and leadership decides to give the individual the chance - and they far exceed expectations.   In fact, in many of these instances, these individuals become star performers in their new roles.

Enter the art of understanding. . .understanding that not all roles are good fits for all people.   Understanding that not all people come with the same skill sets (this is yet another reason why diversity is important).   Understanding that in some instances what people need to succeed is a new challenge.    Understanding that it is an expensive waste of human capital to separate someone from an enterprise when, in fact, they still have so much they can offer.

What this requires is that we consider the team as humans;   that we utilize emotional intelligence in our business intelligence.  If it's a machine that's failing to do a job - yes, we get another machine because that one machine is meant for one task.  But, if it's a human that isn't performing - that individual has a whole other set of talents and interests that may pay big dividends if given another opportunity.

This, of course, requires that we know our business and it's functions well. . .and that we know the individuals on our teams even better.

If we truly believe that individuals are the strongest assets of our enterprise - then we must employ those individuals in the place in which they will prosper and that then becomes the right place.

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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.