HR - Managing Underperformance
Jason Peters
As a manager, have a difficult conversation with an employee whose performance has declined over the past 3 months.
Scenario Briefing
Review the scenario details below. You can customize the Background, Issue, and Goal to practice different variations.
Jason Peters is a developer who performed well for 18 months but has been missing deadlines and producing poor quality work for 3 months.
He's defensive about feedback and makes excuses. Unknown to you, he's going through a difficult divorce but hasn't shared this.
Address the performance issues directly while showing empathy. Set clear expectations and create a path forward without being harsh or lenient.
What You'll Be Evaluated On
- Addressed issues directly with specific examples
- Balanced accountability with empathy
- Asked about underlying causes
- Listened actively without interrupting
- Set clear expectations and timeline
- Created a concrete improvement plan
- Offered support and resources
- Maintained dignity throughout
💡 Pro Tip
Customize the scenario to match your real-world situations. Edit the Background to reflect your company's context, adjust the Issue to match common customer problems you face, and modify the Goal to focus on skills you want to develop.