Improving performance in the workplace is one of the most sustainable ways a business can grow. After all, when employees do well, the company does well! But boosting performance isn’t just about working harder. It’s about creating the right environment, tools, and support to help your team succeed.

At HR NOLA, we work with businesses every day to improve how people work and grow. From setting clear goals to building a strong workplace culture, we know small changes can make a big difference. Whether you’re leading a growing startup or managing a large team, the strategies below can help you build a stronger, more productive workplace.

Let’s explore 10 proven strategies that help businesses get better results and happier teams, all by focusing on people, communication, and leadership.

Key Takeaways

• Clear goals help employees stay focused and aligned with business objectives.
• Regular feedback and recognition boost employee motivation and confidence.
• Ongoing training and development improve skills and job performance.
• A positive workplace culture encourages productivity and employee satisfaction.
• Strong communication and leadership build trust and improve team results.
• Encouraging collaboration and work-life balance leads to better overall performance.

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1. Set Clear and Measurable Goals

When employees don’t know what’s expected of them, they can’t do their best work. That’s why setting clear and measurable goals is the first step in improving performance in the workplace. Goals help employees focus on what matters. They also give managers a way to track progress and offer support. 

One helpful method is setting SMART goals, which means goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, instead of saying “increase sales,” a SMART goal would be “increase monthly sales by 10% within six months.”

These kinds of goals give employees direction and purpose. They also help reduce confusion and stress because everyone understands what success looks like.

HR leaders, business owners, and managers can use team meetings or one-on-one check-ins to make sure goals are clear and updated regularly. By setting strong goals, you’re building a path to higher performance and better results.

2. Provide Regular Feedback and Recognition

People want to know how they’re doing. Regular feedback helps employees learn, grow, and feel valued. When feedback is done well, it becomes one of the most powerful ways of improving performance in the workplace.

Feedback should be specific and helpful. Instead of just saying “good job,” say what the employee did well and how it helped the team or company. For example, “Your quick response to the customer helped us close the deal, great work!”

Recognition is just as important. A simple thank-you, a team shoutout, or even a small reward can go a long way. When employees feel appreciated, they are more motivated to keep doing their best.

Utilize your HR team to help you build a culture where feedback happens often, not just during annual reviews. Use weekly check-ins, team meetings, or feedback tools to create an open and positive environment.

By giving useful feedback and recognizing hard work, you’re encouraging employees to improve and stay engaged.

3. Invest in Employee Training and Development

To improve workplace performance, companies must help employees learn new skills and grow professionally. Investing in training and development is one of the best ways to do this.

When employees learn new tools, methods, or ideas, they can do their jobs better. This leads to higher quality work, fewer mistakes, and more job satisfaction. It also shows that the company cares about their future.

Training can be simple and affordable. It could include:

• Online courses
• In-house workshops
• Job shadowing or mentoring
• Cross-training with other departments

Development isn’t just for technical skills; it can also include communication, leadership, or time management. When people improve in these areas, they work better with others and handle stress more easily.

At HR NOLA, we help businesses create training plans that fit their goals and team needs. When companies invest in their people, the results are clear: stronger teams, more innovation, and improved performance in the workplace.

4. Foster a Positive Workplace Culture

Culture plays a big role in how employees feel and perform. A positive workplace culture makes people feel safe, respected, and motivated to do their best.

Culture includes how people communicate, treat each other, and make decisions. If the culture is toxic or unclear, employees may feel stressed, confused, or disengaged, and their performance will suffer.

To create a strong culture:

• Promote values like honesty, teamwork, and respect.
• Support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Listen to employee feedback and concerns.
• Celebrate achievements as a team.

When people enjoy coming to work, they bring more energy and creativity. They’re also more likely to stay with the company and support its success.

HR NOLA helps businesses build people-first cultures that lead to long-term success. When culture is healthy, improving performance in the workplace becomes easier for everyone involved.

5. Encourage Open Communication

Good communication builds trust and helps teams work better together. When employees feel safe to share ideas or concerns, it leads to fewer problems and more solutions.

Open communication can happen in many ways:

• Regular team meetings.
• One-on-one check-ins.
• Anonymous suggestion boxes.
• Open-door policies from leaders.

Leaders should listen actively and show that all voices matter. When employees feel heard, they’re more likely to speak up and take part in improving performance in the workplace.

At the same time, clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings and mistakes. It also ensures that everyone is aligned with company goals.

Companies with strong communication tend to have better teamwork, faster decision-making, and higher employee engagement.

6. Set Up Clear Expectations and Accountability

Every employee should know what is expected from their role. When expectations are clear, people are more confident, focused, and productive.

Start with clear job descriptions and performance standards. If an employee’s role has changed over time, ensure that their job description is updated and communicated to the employee. Managers should also explain how each employee’s work supports larger business goals. This helps people understand why their role matters.

Accountability means taking ownership of your work and results. When employees know they’re responsible for their tasks, they are more likely to stay on track and work efficiently.

Use tools like performance scorecards, regular reviews, or simple checklists to track progress. These tools also help identify issues early so they can be fixed.

Setting expectations and encouraging accountability is a strong foundation for improving performance in the workplace.

7. Promote Work-Life Balance

Employees do their best work when they’re well-rested and mentally healthy. Promoting a good work-life balance helps reduce stress and avoid burnout.

Support work-life balance by:

• Offering flexible hours or remote work.
• Encouraging breaks and vacation time. Make sure there is a culture of truly being “off” when you’re on vacation.
• Supporting mental health through resources or programs.

When employees feel they have time for personal life and family, they return to work with more focus and energy. They are also more loyal to the company.

HR NOLA believes in supporting people, not just positions. We help companies design policies that protect health and well-being while still achieving business goals.

A healthy balance leads to better employee performance and stronger team morale.

8. Leverage Performance Management Tools

Technology can make it easier to manage employee performance and track progress. Many tools help HR teams and managers support their teams better.

Performance management software lets you:

• Set and track goals.
• Collect feedback.
• Monitor employee progress.
• Plan development opportunities.

Some popular tools include BambooHR, Lattice, and 15Five. These systems are user-friendly and give valuable insights into what’s working and what needs improvement.

When data supports decision-making, leaders can make smarter changes and guide employees more effectively. These tools also help employees take charge of their own growth.

Using the right tools is an important step in improving performance in the workplace in a structured, consistent way.

9. Build Strong Leadership at Every Level

Great leaders bring out the best in others. When leadership is strong at every level, not just the top, performance across the organization improves.

Leaders should be good at listening, supporting their team, solving problems, and staying calm under pressure. These skills can be taught and developed over time.

Invest in leadership training for new managers, team leads, and senior staff. Topics might include:

• Emotional intelligence
• Coaching and mentoring
• Conflict resolution
• Decision-making

Encourage leaders to check in with their team, give feedback, and help remove roadblocks. Even small actions from managers can make a big difference in how teams perform.

At HR NOLA, we believe leadership is a skill, not just a job title. Helping employees grow into strong leaders helps improve performance in the workplace, build trust, and create future-ready teams.

10. Encourage Collaboration and Teamwork

No one succeeds alone. Teamwork helps employees share ideas, solve problems, and support each other. When people work well together, they get better results.

Create opportunities for collaboration by:

• Assigning group projects.
• Holding brainstorming sessions.
• Using tools like Slack, Trello, or Microsoft Teams.

Team-building activities outside of work can also build trust and friendships. These don’t have to be expensive; even a shared lunch or friendly challenge can help build connections.

Good collaboration leads to better communication, faster problem-solving, and higher morale. It also creates a stronger sense of community and shared purpose.

HR teams can lead the way by encouraging teamwork across departments and roles. When everyone is aligned and working together, improving performance in the workplace becomes a natural result.

Monitor and Adjust Strategies Regularly (Bonus Tip)

Even the best strategies need to be reviewed from time to time. What works today may not work as well six months from now. That’s why it’s important to monitor your performance strategies regularly and make changes when needed.

Use tools like employee surveys, key performance indicators (KPIs), and one-on-one check-ins to gather insights. This helps you see what’s working and what’s not. For example, if a training program isn’t improving skills or performance, it might need to be updated or replaced.

Regular reviews also help you stay flexible. If your team grows or goals shift, your performance strategy should change too. Businesses that adjust quickly often have a competitive edge.

HR teams play a key role in this process by collecting data, analyzing trends, and recommending improvements. At HR NOLA, we work with companies to build ongoing performance plans, not one-time solutions.

By making regular improvements, you can keep your team moving forward and continue improving performance in the workplace over time.

Conclusion

Improving performance in the workplace is not about pushing people to do more; it’s about helping them do their best. By using the 10 strategies shared in this blog, your business can build a stronger team, reduce stress, and create better results.

From setting clear goals to building leadership and culture, each step works together to support your most important asset: your people.

At HR NOLA, we work closely with companies to turn these strategies into real results. Whether you’re starting fresh or fine-tuning existing processes, we can help build the systems, tools, and support that drive better performance every day.

Ready to create a more productive and engaged team? Contact us today to learn how we can help

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the most effective way to improve employee performance?

The most effective way to improve employee performance is by setting clear and achievable goals, providing consistent feedback, and offering learning opportunities. These strategies help employees understand what’s expected, where they can improve, and how they can grow. When people feel supported and guided, they’re more likely to stay engaged and motivated, leading to better results for the entire organization.

How often should performance feedback be given?

Performance feedback should be provided regularly, not just once a year during annual reviews. Weekly or bi-weekly check-ins are ideal for keeping employees on track and addressing challenges early. Frequent feedback allows employees to course-correct and stay aligned with their goals. It also shows that the company values its contributions, which builds trust and strengthens the employee-manager relationship.

Can workplace culture affect performance?

Yes, workplace culture has a huge impact on employee performance. A culture that promotes respect, teamwork, fairness, and open communication helps people feel valued and included. When employees enjoy where they work, they’re more likely to give their best effort. On the other hand, a toxic or unclear culture often leads to stress, poor communication, and high turnover, which harms overall performance.

What role does HR play in improving performance?

HR plays a key role in improving workplace performance by designing and supporting people-first systems. These include onboarding, goal-setting, training, feedback processes, and leadership development. HR teams also help build a healthy workplace culture and ensure compliance with policies. At HR NOLA, we guide businesses in building strategies that support their teams from hiring through retirement, leading to sustainable performance improvement.

Do small businesses need performance improvement strategies, too?

Yes, performance strategies are just as important for small businesses as they are for large companies. In fact, smaller teams often feel the impact of poor performance more quickly. Setting expectations, recognizing good work, and offering support help small teams stay efficient and motivated. These strategies also help small businesses grow faster and build a strong foundation for long-term success.

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