How can I ensure my managers have the ‘big’ conversations with their team members.

Here is another podcast that examines the questions that regularly arise in our work. This time, Richard and Ricky consider why managers might avoid some of the more big (difficult) conversations that are needed between manager and team members.

Often, senior managers assume that these conversations are happening, only to find out as issues escalate that a culture of over-politeness or hoping things will sort themselves out if we ignore them for long enough has sowed ambiguity and misunderstanding.

Why do these conversations feel so difficult for managers, and what can we do to ensure that they happen early, ensuring small problems never get to become critical issues?

Richard and Ricky mention a great book on structuring these challenging conversations:

Grenny J., Patterson K., McMillan R., Switzler A. and Gregory E. (2021) Crucial Conversations (Third Edition): Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High. McGraw Hill

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Posted On February 5, 2025 By Paul Hutchinson In High Performing Teams, Leadership, Performance Management, Podcasts, The question is /  

What Accountable Leaders Do That Others Don’t

Five tests that accountable leaders do to achieve success

Ever wondered why some managers dodge those awkward performance conversations—and what to do about it?

In this lively chat, Graham Field and Ricky Muddimer dive into the art and science of giving effective feedback that sparks real change.

They walk through seven critical tests to pinpoint the root causes of underperformance, including:

  1. The Expectations Test – Set the ground rules upfront on how (and when) feedback is shared.
  2. The Holy Trinity Test – Ensure crystal-clear goals, a genuine understanding of “why it matters,” and confidence in what’s possible.
  3. The Underperformance Test – Spot gaps in knowledge, skills, environment/tools, or mindset.
  4. The Competence Test – Move beyond “tick-box” training and guard against the Ebbinghaus Effect by reinforcing learning fast.
  5. The Psychological Safety Test – Create a culture where people feel safe asking for help and receiving honest feedback.

If you’re a middle manager, C-suite executive, or HR professional responsible for leadership development, you’ll pick up practical tips you can use immediately. Grab a coffee, sit back, and learn how to have those tough chats that lead to better performance and stronger teams.

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The ROI Illusion: Debunking The Misguided Faith In Training As A Silver Bullet
How Leaders Undermine Psychological Safety

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Posted On January 30, 2025 By Ricky Muddimer In Culture, Engagement, Goals, High Performing Teams, Leadership, Management, Metacognition, Mindset, Performance Management, Productivity, Psychological Safety, Trust, Video /  

Why Annual Reviews Fail and How HR Leaders Can Avoid It

Our very own Ricky Muddimer was invited to be a guest speaker on this Workleap webinar. The Workleap team were keen to get Ricky’s perspective on the annual review process.

Ricky is passionate about performance. Helping line managers have a greater impact on their teams is crucial to every organisation’s performance. The relationship with your line manager is one of the key drivers of individual and team productivity.

The lively discussion revealed some real insights. We learned that 78% of those polled said their review process needed improvement. At the same time, 66% were conducting a formal annual review.

Key Takeaways

  • We discussed how to build a culture where managers embrace performance management and do it well, and team members want time with their manager. We explored Workleap’s experience of transitioning from annual to quarterly reviews with some great hints and tips to consider.
  • It is arguably the most challenging time ever to be a line manager with many more leader-doers and player-coaches. How do they find the time to do everything well?
  • Any performance review process, at whatever cadence, needs to be simple for line managers to improve adoption and shift the mindset from task to value-adding activity.

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Unlocking the Potential: A Manager’s Guide to Addressing Underperformance

Are you struggling with underperformance in your team?

Don’t let it hold you back! In this comprehensive guide, we unpack the root causes of underperformance, the pivotal role of performance management, and your responsibilities as a manager.

Read more

Discover practical strategies to overcome roadblocks, have effective conversations, and create an environment where every team member feels valued and motivated to grow. Unlock the potential within your team and chart a course towards success.

Listen

How do you talk talent with your people (that does not set you up for a tough conversation)?

Talent conversations come in many shapes and sizes. Talent is more than just how good you are today; it also encompasses how well you fit into the plans for tomorrow. Your plans, the organisation’s plans, and their plans….

What could possibly go wrong?

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Ricky and Paul tackle the conversations that leaders need to have to help the people around them understand where they are right now, what is expected of them and where they need to develop. Talent conversations may not be easy, but with a bit of structure and thought, they can be positive and constructive interactions that help people grow.

Read

The ROI Illusion: Debunking The Misguided Faith In Training As A Silver Bullet
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Posted On January 29, 2025 By Ricky Muddimer In Culture, Engagement, High Performing Teams, Leadership, Management, Mindset, Performance Management, Productivity, Video, Webinar /  

Are you giving your team Quality Feedback?

Ricky shares his five top tips for giving purposeful feedback:

Feedback: Five Top Tips for Purposeful Feedback

Feedback is one of the most critical tools and skills of any manager’s skillset.

In this video, Ricky explores five top tips for managers and leaders and includes a personal example.

  • Do you lay solid foundations for feedback?
  • Is feedback a habit?
  • Is it factual and founded on evidence?
  • Is it purposeful? Can your people do something with your feedback?
  • Are you present when giving feedback or distracted?

What do you think?

Related Content

Do you want to know how to deliver feedback effectively at work?

In this video, we share with you five tips on delivering effective feedback in a way that will be respectful and helpful to you and your team members.

Learning how to deliver feedback effectively is essential if you want to be a successful manager of people! In this video, we’ll show you how to deliver feedback in a way that will help your team members grow and learn. We’ll also discuss the importance of feedback in the workplace and give you some helpful tips on how to give feedback effectively!

If you prefer to listen, here are a couple of podcasts on feedback.

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Posted On January 15, 2025 By Ricky Muddimer In Coaching, Continuous Improvement, Culture, High Performing Teams, Leadership, Management, Performance Management, Productivity, Video /  

How to Tackle Underperformance: A Managers Guide

Unlocking the Potential: A Manager’s Guide to Addressing Underperformance

Are you struggling with underperformance in your team?

Don’t let it hold you back! In this comprehensive guide, we unpack the root causes of underperformance, the pivotal role of performance management, and your responsibilities as a manager. Discover practical strategies to overcome roadblocks, have effective conversations, and create an environment where every team member feels valued and motivated to grow. Unlock the potential within your team and chart a course towards success.

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Posted On June 26, 2024 By Ricky Muddimer In High Performing Teams, Leadership, Management, Performance Management, Productivity, Video /  

Better Performance Management to Unleash Your Team’s Potential

Performance Management Mastery: Unleash Your Team’s Potential!

Unlock the secrets to effective performance management and transform your team into high performers!

Whether you’re a seasoned manager or just starting, this video will guide you through six essential pillars of performance management. Learn how to set clear goals, give continuous feedback, conduct impactful appraisals, foster development, recognise achievements, and support career growth. Discover the one crucial insight most managers miss!

Join Ricky Muddimer and elevate your leadership skills to new heights. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more valuable insights!

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Posted On June 12, 2024 By Ricky Muddimer In High Performing Teams, Leadership, Management, Performance Management, Productivity, Video /  

Sales Managers: How to Avoid Five Traps Killing Your Performance

Sales Managers: How to Avoid Five Traps Killing Your Performance

Are you a sales manager frustrated by missed actions, lame excuses, and a lack of accountability in your remote or field-based team? You’re not alone. Managing a dispersed team presents unique challenges, but the good news is that these obstacles can be overcome.

In this video, you will discover five of the most common traps that hinder your team’s performance and cost you your hard-earned bonus. Having struggled with these issues, I’ve learned valuable lessons I’m eager to pass on to you.

By Ricky Muddimer

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Posted On May 29, 2024 By Ricky Muddimer In Goals, High Performing Teams, Leadership, Management, Performance Management, Productivity, Sales, Sales Mindset, Stakeholder Management, Video /  

How to Transform Performance: Four Reasons Why People Underperform

So why do people underperform?

Understanding why and what you can do about it is fundamental to every #manager’s success. We ask and answer the following questions:

  • Do you struggle with addressing underperformance in your team?
  • Find it challenging to identify the root causes and have those difficult performance conversations?

You’re not alone. Watch as Ricky simplifies the complexities of underperformance and provides practical solutions to help managers and leaders like you.

In this video:

  • Explore four core reasons behind underperformance.
  • Discover actionable strategies to tackle knowledge gaps, skill deficiencies, lack of tools, and mindset issues.
  • Learn how managers can create environments that promote high performance.
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Posted On May 15, 2024 By Ricky Muddimer In Goals, Leadership, Management, Performance Management, Video /  

Demystifying the B2B Sales Process

Demystifying the B2B Sales Process means simplifying and removing the guesswork from sales in a B2B world.

Sales professionals, are you ready to turn the sales process from a constraint into your strongest ally?

In this video, Ricky Muddiner dives deep into how a well-defined sales process isn’t just a series of steps but a powerhouse tool that can revolutionise your approach, save you time, and massively boost your effectiveness.

With over 30 years of sales experience across B2B and B2C sectors, I’ll break down common misconceptions and reveal how to harness the true potential of your sales process. Whether you’re on the frontline or leading a team, you’ll discover tailored strategies that fit your specific needs.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to build and refine a sales process that actually works for you.
  • Identify and utilise critical steps to win deals more consistently.
  • Techniques to train, coach, and manage your sales team more effectively.

Don’t miss out on these actionable insights that have helped teams scale their sales efforts worldwide.

Check out these additional resources. Share this with your team and network to spread the value! https://bit.ly/6TipsforaKillerSalesProcess https://bit.ly/ExampleSalesProcess https://bit.ly/LevellingupyourSalesLeadersSalesManagerandSalesTeamsPlaylist

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Posted On May 1, 2024 By Ricky Muddimer In High Performing Teams, Leadership, Management, Performance Management, Productivity, Sales /  

New Manager Playbook – How to get a fast start to your life as a new manager

New Manager Playbook: Mastering Management Essentials

Have you just landed your first managerial role, or are you looking to refresh your leadership skills?

Our “New Manager Playbook” is your ultimate guide to starting strong and steering your team to success! Ricky Muddimer shares our expert strategies, which cover everything from setting the right tone and fostering collaboration to unlocking your team’s full potential.

What’s Inside?

Essential skills for new managers Strategies for building trust and respect Tips for evaluating and adjusting team dynamics Techniques for enhancing team performance Whether you’re navigating your first managerial role or managing a new team, our playbook provides actionable insights and practical tools to make your leadership journey a triumph. Download now and transform your managerial challenges into opportunities for growth and success!

Download the New Manager Playbook


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Posted On April 17, 2024 By Ricky Muddimer In Culture, Engagement, Goals, High Performing Teams, Leadership, Management, Mindset, Performance Management, Productivity, Video /