Today, the workplace is as fast-paced as ever. With plenty of deadlines coming at us from all angles, it can be tough to meet the demands of a business. Many employers may find themselves frustrated with their employees’ performance, wondering “what is going wrong?”
While missing deadlines may happen once in a while, it may become a greater concern if it’s happening regularly. Fixing the problem may be as simple as simply identifying what’s holding your team back, and taking action accordingly.
Here are some potential reasons why your employees might be falling behind their deadlines, and some practical strategies that will increase your employees productivity.
Unclear Expectations
Sometimes your employees are missing deadlines because they aren’t sure about when these deadlines actually are. And while it may seem obvious to you, it’s likely much less obvious to them because you failed to give them specific guidelines and instructions!
Make sure that your employees are clear about what’s expected of them, and provide them with specific dates. Any ambiguity could lead to an undesirable performance, and ultimately a missed deadline. The good news is that there are plenty of technology tools available to you that can help you and your employees stay on the same page. From asana to Google Calendar, sharing dates and deadlines has never been easier.
Too Much Work
Sometimes the reason for your employees’ tardiness is due to an overwhelming workload. If they have far too many tasks assigned to them, then it’s only obvious why they can’t seem to keep up with it. Overwhelming workloads means not having enough time to get everything done.
Make sure that you review your employees workloads regularly, and consider moving things around if they simply can’t handle what’s been given to them. Above all, create a culture that encourages asking for help when needed. If your employees don’t feel safe or comfortable being able to ask for help or express that they’re over stimulated, then this could be a serious issue long term.
Distractions
If you notice that your employees are missing deadlines often, it’s important that you visit the work environment and ensure whether this might have to do with unnecessary distractions.
Whether it’s distracting each other through workplace banter, or perhaps they’re on their phones too much, identify these distractions and try to eliminate them. Sometimes your employees may not have the same self-discipline you’d like them to have, so enforcing strict rules will help them and you ensure everyone’s time is managed wisely without wasting precious hours on meaningless distractions.
Lack of Tools
Your employees are only as equipped as you make them. Even the most skilled employees can fall behind if they don’t have the right tools at their fingertips. Make sure that you arm your employees with the latest software and any information they need, and train them on how to create workflow. The more you can prepare them for success, the more likely they are to find it.
