One minor addition I will include is that managers should try to avoid using clichs when providing criticism. Clichs are overused expressions and phrases. These are not helpful when the goal is to give employees specific areas on which they should improve. Please rewrite each of the following clichs.

You need to improve your productivity.

You get along well with others.

Your skills are not up to par.

Youre not trying to do your best.

Youre a pleasure to supervise.

You have to prove yourself before I can give you any more responsibility.

1b. Pretend you are a supervisor (if you are not already). Pretend you have a low performing employee. Discuss how you would go about diagnosing this employees performance problems. In other words, how would you identify the causes of this low performance. List several factors to consider.