Conversation Planner · for managers
How to talk to an employee who doesn't follow the process
Read the approach below, or skip ahead and get a plan written for your own situation.
Plan my conversation — free ↓Why the usual approach fails
Managers repeat the rule louder or add another layer of checking. Neither asks why the step is being skipped. Sometimes the process is genuinely clumsy, and the person skipping it knows how to fix it. Sometimes they just don't see what it protects.
How to open
"I want to talk about the order checklist. It's been skipped on several orders this month, and two of those went out wrong. Before I say anything else, I'd like to understand why it's being skipped."
Ask before you tell
- "What gets in the way of using the checklist?"
- "Is there a part of it that doesn't make sense to you?"
- "How would you change it so it actually gets used?"
What to agree before you leave the room
The checklist used on every order, plus one improvement they suggest that you'll try. Review the error count together in two weeks.
Make it yours — free
Edit the details below to match your situation and get a full five-step COACH plan by email.
Other conversations
- How to talk to an employee who takes long breaks →
- How to talk to an employee who misses deadlines →
- How to talk to an employee with a negative attitude →
- How to talk to an employee who is always late →
- How to talk to an employee who makes careless mistakes →
- How to talk to an employee who gets defensive about feedback →
Built on the COACH method by Jon Kludt, Business Coach · Certified EOS Implementer® · thecoachconversation.com