'How to Manage an Elastic Band'

The Performance Management training delivered by Sheppard Moscow this November really encouraged me to take another look in the stationary cupboard and re-consider the uses of an elastic band as not only something to twang around the office, but as a far more representational tool for performance management.

Brian Caie and Robert Davidson delivered a dynamic model of performance management which helped me to consider how a manager's and individual's perspectives combine to create a tension which, when balanced, has the strong power of an elastic band to hold things together, but pull too hard in either direction and, well, we've all experienced the resultant injuries.

In order to help achieve a sense of balance in performance management we were given some steps towards creating 'courageous conversations' in the workplace. Having tried out our skills on each other, we discovered just how challenging it can be to accurately assess the impact of your own tone of voice, body language and choice of words. Recognising how to be authoritative or facilitative through combining all of these methods was difficult at first, but the practical experience of trying it out then and there during the training session was invaluable.

My lasting image from the training session is that of 'The Well'. This is a highly powerful tool designed by Sheppard Moscow as a visual image of a place where individuals can openly and freely discuss their performance and where unrecognized potential is brought to light. It was very valuable to question the use of forms in assessing performance, and to learn from the wide-ranging experiences of the other participants.

The next time you pick up a rubber band, please don't ping it across the room. Think on instead...

Helena Houston