Why Don’t People Do What You Expect

As leaders, at any level, we delegate tasks to our subordinates and control their execution. During these times, there's an expectation that everything will be executed exactly as envisioned. Surprisingly, this isn't always the case. In fact, there are cases where some team members consistently fail to complete assigned tasks. This can be frustrating, leading to increased tension between team members and their leader. In the worst-case scenario, it may result in a team member being released from the project or even fired.

But what causes these issues? And is there a way to address them?

Let's consider one of the fundamental assumptions of management: that people always act in the best possible manner (excluding deliberate sabotage, of course). This "best possible manner" depends on numerous factors, ranging from the team atmosphere to personal health and family relationships.

So we must try to understand the reasons behind the unexpected behavior. Generally, these reasons can be grouped into four categories:
1️⃣Don’t understand. The task or its purpose isn't clear, leading to a lack of motivation to do it.
2️⃣Not able to do. There's a lack of skills or competencies necessary to perform the task.
3️⃣Cannot do it. There's a lack of resources, both physical and mental, to carry out the task. Personal issues may decrease the ability to focus on work tasks effectively.
4️⃣Don’t want. The task may not align with the individual's competencies or goals, leading to a lack of motivation to do it.

As leaders, our first step is to identify the correct reason. Often, a one-on-one conversation with appropriate questions can shed light on the situation. In most cases, we have the power to address the problem, help our team members and make the team stronger.

#management #leadership