These tips were published by BusinessMatters Magazine.
Find out what's behind the drop in productivity
First and foremost, you should identify the cause of the decline. This might sound simple but you need to go deep and ascertain the real root of the problem. Is it increased absenteeism of subordinates? Or maybe inappropriate tools, a change in communication processes, or external factors beyond your control?
Present the findings to your subordinates and discuss them
Do not attempt to evaluate and resolve the entire situation yourself. Discuss your findings with team members and let them comment on where they think the problem is. They might surprise you with some information you had not realised or did not know about that will help you in solving the problem.
Define an action plan for the future with subordinates
Now it is your turn to say what you will change to make the team more productive again. Regardless of whether the problem is internal or there are external influences beyond your control, you always need to find a way to adapt to the situation and possibly change your working style to get productivity back on track.
Motivate subordinates positively
Do not try to intimidate your subordinates or alarm them regarding the consequences if productivity were to drop. Positive motivation always works best. So try to find a workable solution as a team and set the next steps so that employees are properly motivated to fix the problem.
Monitor the progress of the action plan
In the days, weeks and months ahead, monitor the progress of the joint corrective action plan. See if the remediation process is working well and, if not, do not hesitate to adjust it.
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