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Hi Reader, Welcome to Your Dose of Mana — a quick, weekly note with: If your biggest business challenges are actually people challenges, you’re in the right place. It’s already too late. 1 Real Story It always to start the same way: “We’re putting them on a PIP.” And nearly every time, I have the same thought: It’s already too late. Not because people can’t improve. You may be solving for the wrong problem. The manager is frustrated. It’s really just a process exercise. I’ve seen this play out again and again. But I’ve also taken a different path. In a few cases, instead of jumping straight to a PIP, I paused and got curious: What’s actually going on here? Before the conversation, I look at how they are wired. And almost every time, the answer wasn’t capability. It was misalignment. The role didn’t match their strengths. I suspected they weren’t happy doing the work. When we talked about it openly, something shifted. They saw it too. And instead of forcing a failing situation to limp along, we reframed the outcome: Not “fix this or else.” From there, we could create a different ending: A transition that preserved dignity. A lose-lose… turned into a win-win. 1 Leadership Insight PIPs are often treated like a performance tool. In reality, they’re usually a signal. ➡️ A signal that feedback came too late Leaders spend time documenting failure… And they skip the data that would have helped them avoid the situation entirely. The right psychometric tools cost a fraction of one bad hire. Yet many leaders still don’t see the value. Then they spend months managing a problem they could have prevented. 1 Practical Takeaway If you’re thinking about putting someone on a PIP, pause. Ask yourself: 1️⃣ Did I truly understand how this person is wired before putting them in this role? Because if it’s a fit issue, no amount of documentation will fix it. But the right conversation might. And sometimes the best leadership move isn’t forcing performance… It’s helping someone find a place where they can actually succeed. Somewhere out there, a PIP is being drafted right now like it’s going to save the day. It won’t. But a leader willing to get curious instead of procedural? That’s where things actually change. IF this is you, step away from the computer and call me. 1 Dose of Art A little whimsy. A little joy. A little doodle.
Doodle by Gary Schechner, 3/14/26 Even though this is a “mass email” I mean it when I say—let me know what you are up to. Reply, book a Zoom, pick up the phone. I’d love to catch up. If friction is slowing down your business, let’s chat. Thanks for letting me show up in your inbox. More joy. Less friction. Always. |