Performance Management & Accountability Flashcards

A team member consistently meets targets but refuses to document their work processes. How should a team leader address this?

Answer: Address the documentation gap as part of overall performance expectations

Performance expectations include both results and required behaviors/processes, so documentation should be addressed as part of the full performance standard.

Which type of performance standard is MOST useful for measuring knowledge work quality?

Answer: Behavioral indicators and output quality criteria

Behavioral indicators and quality criteria capture the complexity of knowledge work better than simple quantitative measures.

A team leader notices a high performer has become disengaged after being passed over for promotion. What is the FIRST step?

Answer: Have a private conversation to understand their perspective

Understanding the employee's perspective through dialogue is the essential first step before any intervention or action.

What does 'stretch goal' mean in performance management?

Answer: A challenging objective set beyond current performance levels to drive growth

Stretch goals are ambitious targets that push employees beyond their comfort zone to encourage development and higher performance.

When cascading organizational goals to the team level, a team leader should PRIMARILY ensure:

Answer: Team goals directly support and align with higher-level organizational objectives

Cascading goals ensures every team's work contributes meaningfully to broader organizational success through direct alignment.

A team leader wants to improve accountability without micromanaging. Which practice BEST achieves this?

Answer: Establishing clear expectations and using regular milestone check-ins

Clear expectations paired with periodic milestone reviews create accountability structures without invasive oversight.

Under a Management by Objectives (MBO) approach, who is PRIMARILY responsible for setting performance objectives?

Answer: Both the manager and employee collaboratively

MBO is defined by collaborative goal-setting between managers and employees, which increases commitment and ownership.