THIS Leader Podcast
86. Stop Managing Performance. Start Leading People.
September 29, 2026
You've half-composed the correction in your head before the conversation even starts. You know exactly what you're going to say, “you need to show more initiative”, but some part of you already knows it's not going to land the way you want it to. That's because naming the foul isn't the same as building the route.
In this episode, we discuss a different way to run performance conversations; one where you get curious about what's going on before any correction. We'll walk through four real gaps, and the one question that helps you map a new route together. This isn't about lowering your standards. It's about leading people instead of just managing their performance.
Listen Now
Listen Now
The thing you notice — someone not taking initiative, missing the same step again, waiting when they should just act — is rarely the actual problem. It's a symptom. And the way most of us respond to it is what I call referee mode: spot the infraction, blow the whistle, expect it not to happen again.
In this episode, I'm making the case for a different mode of leadership — GPS mode. When you miss a turn with a GPS running, it doesn't lecture you. It just recalculates and finds you the next right route from exactly where you are. That's the shift we need to make in how we handle performance conversations.
I'll walk you through an example — a manager I call Maya and her direct report, Derek, who doesn’t take initiative — and I’ll introduce a simple question that opens up what's really going on for Derek. Because when someone isn't performing the way you'd hoped, the answer usually lives in one of four places: a clarity gap, a knowledge gap, a skill gap, or a confidence gap. Four different problems. The leader’s job is to find out which it is.
We also talk about the part of this that's genuinely hard — checking your own state before you start that conversation, and resisting the assumption that the other person is trying to be difficult. Most of the time, they're just navigating with the map they've got.
If you've ever caught yourself mid-correction, already frustrated before the other person has even responded, this one's for you.
"What if you stopped managing performance, and started leading people? Managing performance is transactional — watching for the miss, applying the penalty. Leading people is transformational — getting curious about the map, and trusting that clarity plus partnership gets you further than correction ever did." — Claire Laughlin
86: Stop Managing Performance. Start Leading People
Subscribe for weekly inspiration
Get it delivered right to your inbox!
Enter your name and email below and you'll get the inside scoop when we release a new episode on the podcast plus weekly leadership inspiration. We know you're not one to miss out on a good thing!
ClaireLaughlin.com needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at anytime. See our privacy policy for terms and conditions and to learn how we protect your data.
About your Host
Claire Laughlin, MA, Organizational Development Consultant
Hi! I'm Claire Laughlin, and I love helping leaders like you create workplaces where people truly thrive.
For over two decades, I've been rolling up my sleeves alongside teams and organizations, using hands-on methods that actually work (because let's face it - theory only gets you so far!).
I specialize in teaching leaders how to engage their teams, helping managers become more effective facilitators, and showing people how to work better together.
I'm also a master facilitator for the Six Types of Working Genius® - a fantastic tool that helps you understand and leverage your natural talents.
When I'm not helping leaders like you build happy, high-energy workplaces, I'm enjoying a hike in the forest with my dog Fiona, spending time with my family or curled up with a great book.
Listen Now
Let's keep the party going!
We have tons of great episodes waiting for you! Check them out on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
85. Stop Being Busy. Start Being Strategic
You just spent another week putting out fires, saying yes to everything, and going to bed exhausted — but if someone asked you how your success is actually measured, could you answer in one sentence?
Most high performers can't.
In this episode, I help you define where your time and energy should be going. I'll show you how to turn that clarity into a Quarterly Action Plan that makes you more valuable, not busier. This is about being intentional, not adding more to your plate.
84. How to Build a Leadership Program with Kris Reyes
My guest, Kris Reyes, sat down in 2017 and designed a ten-month leadership program where participants experience the day-to-day challenges of their peers, and get actionable feedback through their own 360 feedback report. Forty people apply for fifteen spots, every single year, in a company of around 300.
Join me to learn how Kris built Leadership Boardwalk, how he got the entire company to say yes to the concept, and what he'd tell you if you're thinking, "I'd love to build something like this."
