HBR Guide to Performance Management (HBR Guide Series)

CHAPTER 16

Responding to the Steady Worker

Capable, solid employees rarely make waves. They get their jobs done well with little fanfare or oversight. They neither cause problems that require managerial intervention nor actively pursue the opportunity to take on more responsibility or expand their roles. In fact, these B players tend to make the fewest demands on your time, despite making up 80% of your workforce.

Because these employees may not be eager to advance in the organization or require immediate improvement, performance management for these solid B players can be confounding. Although they don’t actively demand your attention, they still deserve your efforts to recognize and develop them. How can you best support your solid contributors ...