You may have heard of the Pareto rule: 80 percent of the sales comes from 20 percent of the clients,or 80 percent of the effects comes from 20 percent of the causes, etc. But have you ever thought about it with respect to your employees?
Do 80 percent of your “people” challenges come from 20 percent of your people? Why is that?
Typically, most employees fall in the mid-range of work—they get the job done, do as they are told, and develop along a career path or time line. Leaders tend to spend the least amount of time on them, because they don’t require much time.
Then there are those on the lower end, the 20 percent who cause problems or act contrary to almost everything the leader is trying to accomplish.
This year, focus on those who are helping carry your team’s goals forward. Find ways to let go of the 20 percent who AREN’T spending time on you and your objectives and/or your team’s goals. If you believe they aren’t helping move the goals/team/ organization forward, then move forward with your conviction.
Learn to spend more time with the 80 percent who make it count.