Srinivas Column : Peak performance at workplace key to success

Modern corporate workplace is in a state of flux. The success of any organisation relies heavily on its employees’ performance. Employees are the driving force to take companies to the zenith of success. Quality of work produced is the key indicator of performance of any organisation. There has been tremendous change in corporate job market due to technological revolution lead to mismatch of employees’ abilities to execute tasks. Hence, maximising workforce performance can help organisations to accomplish their goals. To encounter challenges, organisations need to enhance competency of employees to sustain in the fierce market place. Since employees’ performance directly impact firm’s Return on Investment (ROI) and hence it is essential to identify the root cause of their underperformance, and constantly take suitable measures to augment their efficacy.

How efficiently the workers fulfil their job roles, accomplish tasks, and collaborate with peers is one of the ways of evaluation of employees’ performance. Employees cannot achieve peak performance unless they are communicated clearly about management expectations no matter how skilled and competent they are. Exploring the ways to learn new skills is the initial step towards achieving peak performance. The corporate world is very competitive so that workforce needs to take advantage of every opportunity that can give an edge. Employees have to upgrade their talents continuously to give impressive performance and meet the expectations of management.

Maintaining a competitive edge in the global marketplace demands that the employees attain peak performance even in acute challenges and work pressure. Employees should handle work stress, negative judgments from others, and sustain focus even in dire situation. They should keep in mind work stress drains energy and lessen focus.

Exceptional employees are not just proactive, they can forecast crises, embrace change, and have a deaf ear to naysayers around them. Employees must have a positive attitude towards enhancing their skills and ready to keep abreast changes.

According to a recent Career Builder survey, 45% of respondents reported that a gap in skills caused a loss in overall productivity. Undoubtedly, employees’ performance and effective delivery of tasks is critical for an organisation’s growth and success. Most employees have the power to achieve peak performance but due to lack of encouragement from higher-ups and peers, they underutilise their internal energy.

In order to embrace change and predict uncertainty, employees need a certain level of future-mindedness to stay agile, ability to bounce back from setbacks. If organisations want to improve employee performance, they need to set clear goals to employees and develop metrics to measure their progress. People do their best when they are engaged and motivated. Collaborative learning is also a great way to help boost employee performance. Cohesiveness among employees can solve conflicts that may lead to smooth execution of projects.

Sharing of information among workforce will also expand their knowledge and bring clarity in their minds and allow them to think out of the box. When it comes to improving employee potential, facilitating training will always give better results. But it’s not enough to bring them to a seminar or workshop. To make the most out of training endeavour, make training more creative, engaging, and interactive. Employees have their own strengths, setbacks, goals, and aspirations.

Hence, customised training and development programmes can help improve performance and also create potential opportunities for professional development. Human Resources are the most expensive assets, and therefore, organizations must utilize their workforce efficiently and effectively. One of the best practices is to regularly monitor their performance and offer necessary training to enhance competence employees. Assess the strengths of employee and allot tasks that fit for their abilities. Enhanced employee performance benefits organisation in the long run. It lets firms maintain a competitive edge while allowing employees to grow and excel on the professional front. Thus, it’s imperative to formulate an effective performance management strategy. Achieving peak performance has to be given paramount importance for living an extraordinary life.

(The writer is Assistant Professor Department of Commerce PB Siddhartha College of Arts & Science, Vijayawada)