People respond well to responsibility

How do you handle an employee who's performance is lackluster, inconsistent, or just meeting the minimum expectations? Have you tried giving them more responsibility?

This may sound crazy, but hear me out. Additional responsibility can have a powerful focusing effect, particularly if you introduce it effectively. It can help the employee:

• Feel more significant as they take on a more important role with the company
• Feel more motivated as they see how success in the expanded role can translate to promotion
• Feel more purposeful as others have greater reliance on them and their success
• Feel more energized as there is no longer time to waste on non-value-additive tasks
• Feel more satisfied in their job after meeting and completing these new challenges

A critical clarification is that "more responsibility" is not the same as "more work". Trying to drive a team member or yourself forward by just piling on meaningless tasks will have the opposite effect, decreasing motivation and job satisfaction.