Workplaces are increasingly experiencing a new behavior—the self-aware underperformer who is “knowingly underperforming and not taking actions to rectify it,” according to Fast Company. When employees repeatedly show awareness but do not try to change, it hurts the team and the company.
Fast Company shares the following signs you are working with a self-aware underperformer.
- Underperformance as an identity. These employees claim underperformance as their personal brand, delivering the bare minimum while declaring at least they are consistent. As a leader, you need to ensure the employee recognizes awareness is not enough and accountability is crucial by focusing on how the employee plans to fix the issue in the future.
- Self-deprecation. Some employees try to deflect criticism by joking about their underperformance and often rely on charm or likability. It is important to emphasize progress rather than personality. Focus on whether the employee’s measurable outcomes are improving.
- Passively reframing underperformance as a moral issue. This attitude positions an employee’s self-awareness as a decision to reject the hustle culture, perhaps making comments such as “We’re not saving lives.” When an employee is blatantly settling for less, it is important for you to raise expectations regarding his or her comfort zone.
- Your narrative becomes theirs. Many managers want to be supportive and patient with direct reports, but this can lead to being overaccommodating. If you discover you are allocating their work to others or extending deadlines, their work performance has become your responsibility. Focus on what the employee can control and improve to transfer the responsibility back to him or her.
- Excuses, excuses. Although there may be legitimate obstacles for self-aware underperformers, they choose to make excuses about why things cannot be done rather than moving forward to find a solution. They may appear to show empathy, acknowledging the team’s frustration. Encourage employees to not just recognize the obstacles but to truly demonstrate changes in behavior.
