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When performance slips, most leaders jump straight into problem-solving mode.
They assume it’s a motivation issue. A focus problem. A personality mismatch.
But here’s the truth:
Most employee underperformance is a signal, not a character flaw.
It’s not about laziness—it’s about misalignment, confusion, or lack of support.
Understanding the Root of Employee Underperformance
When a team member stops delivering at their best, it’s rarely about effort alone.
More often, they’re silently asking questions like:
- What exactly am I working toward?
- Do I have what I need to succeed?
- Does anyone even see what I’m contributing?
If those questions are going unanswered, performance will suffer—no matter how talented or committed the employee is.
That’s why I created the DRIVE Framework.
The DRIVE Framework: A Simple Way to Diagnose and Fix Employee Underperformance
DRIVE is a practical tool I’ve used with emerging and mid-career leaders to uncover the root causes of team underperformance and move from friction to clarity.
Here’s a quick overview:
- D – Direction
Do they have crystal-clear goals and expectations? - R – Resources
Are they equipped with the right tools, training, and support? - I – Input
Do they feel like their voice matters in shaping how things are done? - V – Visibility
Are their contributions recognized and valued? - E – Engagement
Do they feel connected to their team, their leaders, and the company?
Each part of the framework offers a lens for reflection—so instead of guessing what’s going wrong, you can pinpoint the issue and act with clarity.
How Leaders Are Using It
If you manage a team and suspect performance issues are deeper than what you can see on the surface, this guide is for you.
The DRIVE Leadership Guide includes:
- A breakdown of each DRIVE area
- Diagnostic questions you can use right away
- Practical remedies to restore clarity and trust
- Real-world examples and leadership prompts
It’s designed to help you decode employee underperformance and address it in a human, effective way.
It can resolve chronic misalignment, spark growth in team members who are close to burnout, and even turn high turnover around.
And the best part? It’s designed to be actionable from Day 1.
What’s Inside the Guide?
The free downloadable guide goes deeper into each part of the DRIVE Framework, offering:
- Diagnostic questions to ask yourself and your team
- Examples to ground the ideas
- Practical remedies you can implement immediately
- Reflection prompts to sharpen your leadership instincts
But it’s not just theory—it’s built for busy leaders who need clarity without the fluff.
Common Mistakes Leaders Make When Addressing Underperformance
Even the most well-meaning leaders can make missteps when trying to fix team issues. Here are three common mistakes that can actually worsen employee underperformance:
1. Assuming the Problem Is Personal
It’s easy to label someone as unmotivated or disengaged without exploring why they might be feeling that way. In reality, they might just lack clarity or feel invisible. Behavior is communication.
2. Over-Relying on One-on-Ones Without Structure
Regular check-ins are valuable—but if they’re just casual conversations without a framework, it’s easy to miss the bigger picture. That’s where a model like DRIVE becomes essential: it gives your conversations direction and depth.
3. Fixing Symptoms Instead of Systems
If someone’s consistently missing deadlines, offering time management tips won’t solve it if they don’t have the right resources or clarity. You have to dig deeper into the systems they operate within, not just the symptoms they’re showing.
Ready to Try It for Yourself?
If you’re ready to lead with more clarity, trust, and results…
Download the DRIVE Leadership Guide today.
It’s completely free—and it might just change the way you lead.