Just utter the phrase, “Performance Improvement Plan,” and you will surely evoke a negative reaction from someone nearby. 

Employees typically view them as a final warning toward inevitable termination. Leaders frequently dread them as bureaucratic paperwork. HR doesn’t even like them, but it feels like a necessary evil. But what if the narrative were all wrong?

If you care about improving performance for yourself or others, this week is for you.

Let’s get after it.

What it means:

Leaders don’t wait until performance becomes a major problem before stepping in. Effective leaders proactively manage their team’s performance, offering clear standards, timely coaching, and consistent feedback. Conversely, reactive managers resort to paperwork as a last resort, often using a PIP simply to justify a decision they have been thinking about for months, if not years. 

What it means:

Accountability is often misunderstood, seen as harmful rather than helpful. The reality is that accountability can positively shape behavior. Want proof?

Think of driving down the highway: just seeing a police car immediately prompts you to hit the brakes and check your speed. In a similar way, workplace accountability, when properly communicated and supported, can help individuals adopt winning behaviors.

What it means:

Developing new skills takes consistent effort over time. Most meaningful progress doesn’t happen overnight. When a team member demonstrates real effort, regularly engages in the right activities, and is open to feedback, leaders need to give them time to improve.

Too often, impatience leads managers to prematurely conclude someone can’t improve. Real growth, however, happens incrementally.

Use your gifts,

John Eades

CEO | LearnLoft | The Sales Infrastructure

P.S. I am in Muscle Shoals, Alabama today, delivering the Change Funnel keynote for a leadership team amid a lot of change. Grateful for the opportunity, I hope you can find an opportunity today to be thankful for as well.

Need a proven leadership development program for your managers?
Instead of hoping your new managers make the leap and lead their teams, show them how. Take advantage of the Accelerate Leadership Framework, virtually or in person, to provide the tools and templates to lead effectively. Learn More.

Don’t take it from us, take a look at participant feedback:

The Truth About PIPs: A Leader’s Guide To Turning Things Around (Blog)

Need to put someone on a PIP? Download our Free PIP Template below

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The Optimistic Outlook is now available wherever you listen to podcasts. Channel your inner John Eades and make your kids listen to it, then read it aloud to work on their minds and communication skills.

How the Best Leaders Think About Change (Video)

We enjoy speaking to groups that are passionate about leadership, coaching, and building stronger teams. Our keynotes and workshops help leaders elevate performance, strengthen culture, and turn good teams into exceptional ones. Some of our most popular keynotes and talks in the last month include:

• The Leadership Lens - Perfect for a broad audience

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• Building a Culture of Excellence - Perfect for an organization with a poor culture.

• The Growth Formula - Perfect to inspire people to take ownership of their development.

• The Change Funnel - Perfect for any organization going through a lot of change.

If you're planning an upcoming event or want to bring powerful insights to your team, We'd be honored to help. Reach out here, and let's discuss how we can contribute to your organization's next gathering.

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Here Are Some Ways We Could Partner:

1. Free Workshop: Book a free 60-minute skill mastery workshop for managers in your organization or a culture workshop for your executive team.

2. Customized Leadership Development Programs: Bring the Accelerate Leadership Program or Catalyst for Growth Program in-house for a customized experience for your team members. Programs include virtual or in-person instructor-led training, a Leadership Growth Plan, and group coaching to ensure real-world mastery.

3. 1:1 Coaching: Work 1-on-1 with me or one of our certified coaches to achieve your goals, strengthen critical skills, and address your most pressing challenges. This 6-month program focuses on mindset and execution for tangible, lasting outcomes. Show me more

4. Speaking: We are now booking keynotes for the fall of 2025. Hit reply on this note, or check out some of our recent talks here. 
   

That’s It For Today!