What can you do to keep sub-standard performance from snowballing out of control?

You're probably familiar with employees who exhibit below standard performance. You're not ready to fire them-not yet, anyway-but if you don't do something, their performance issues are sure to escalate until they become full-blown problem employees. So what can you do to keep sub-standard performance from snowballing out of control? Here's a list of suggestions:

• Paint a clear picture of what good performance looks like. In order to be able to pinpoint poor performance, you need to get very clear about what high performance looks like and translate that into specific behaviors and outcomes.

• Clearly communicate your expectations. When you're setting goals, it's helpful to clearly state, Here's what meeting expectations looks like and Here's what exceeding expectations looks like.

• Don't let expertise or revenue production be a get-out-of-trouble-free card. The biggest challenge for leaders will likely be taking corrective action with an employee who is a top producer, but whose behavior is inconsistent with company values.

• Don't delay. Confrontation can be awkward and difficult, but it must be done. It's the only way to prevent performance issues from becoming a problem employee.

• Provide ongoing coaching and feedback. Give feedback to employees about their progress on goals not just once a year at the annual review, but consistently.

• Celebrate small victories. Recognize progress toward improvement. While it is important to recognize high performers, it is just as important to recognize all positive behavior.