I have found that it’s much more easier to place employees or volunteers in temporary positions than permanent ones.
What I mean by that is starting from the day he is assigned to a position, it always comes with a time frame of how long that position is held.
When the time is up, we are due for a conversation. The conversation will then go like this:
- What I have learned about you and what I have learned about myself
- What positive things I have noticed about you have done
- What things I think, based on my limited vantage point, you can improve on
- Would you like to remain/change this relationship
I have found this flow a lot easier than placing that person in a permanent role because every conversation after that will be like a performance review and/or talk of demotion.
I think this will result in much less stress for both parties. The only con I see is the possibility of insecurity on the employee’s part that he might lose his position and the perks that comes along with it or worse, his job.
An honest culture that resembles a family might ease up that tension… I thihnk.
