Latest / New Manager Conversations with Fexingo: First 90 Days, Managing Former Peers, and Leadership Basics
How New Managers Can Handle a Direct Report Who Is Underperforming
In this episode, Lucas and Luna tackle a tough situation every new manager eventually faces: a direct report who is underperforming. They walk through a concrete framework for diagnosing whether it's a skill issue or a will issue, using the example of a product manager who missed three consecutive deadlines. They discuss how to have honest, data-backed conversations without crushing morale, how to set clear expectations and timelines for improvement, and what to do if things don't turn around. They also share a surprisingly useful tactic from a seasoned engineering manager: asking…
The skinny
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