What is the biggest challenge you have when managing a high performer?

Our reader poll today asks: What is the biggest challenge you have when managing a high performer?

• Resisting the urge to manage them too closely 6.74%
• Giving them challenging assignments 14.75%
• Setting realistic expectations for their advancement 33.01%
• Taking on more challenging work myself so they have room to grow 3.20%
• Preventing them from taking on too much work 25.96%
• Managing the rest of the team to keep them motivated 16.34%

Balancing Challenge and Aggressiveness. This poll is interesting in that it shows a dichotomy of giving high performers challenging assignments (15%) while at the same time preventing them from taking on too much work (26%) and helping them understand what their real trajectory is for advancement (33%). There’s also a nod to remembering you have other team members you have to keep motivated (16%). Based on all this, it seems the best approach with these high performers is having honest and direct conversations about the work they should or should not take on and helping them understand where “the bar” is for advancement. Without that kind of candor, they can become frustrated or burn themselves out (or both!). Ask them what their expectations are and manage them candidly.

– Mike Figliuolo at thoughtLEADERS, LLC

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These results were originally a SmartPulse poll in SmartBrief on Leadership which tracks feedback from more than 240,000 business leaders. Get smarter on leadership and sign up for the SmartBrief on Leadership e-newsletter.