Do you sometimes feel that all your time is focused on dealing with problem employees? it seems that when you're not addressing performance or discipline issues, you're creating new policies, procedures, and work rules that are geared to correct the bottom 10% of your workforce. In all my years in consulting, working with large organizations and small, I regularly hear this from executives who are totally exasperated by poor performing employees. Why is this happening?

Executives should be focused on things that provide the organization the greatest return on investment. Whether it is new products, customers or services, your limited time should be directed toward things that will generate the greatest benefit for the organization. The same thinking has to be used when dealing with employees.

Your top performing employees generate more productivity, better service, new ideas, and they usually do it without upsetting the organization or you. Yet, they often get the least attention from executives who are more focused on the problem employees. This equation must be changed.

Executives need to reassess their thought process. They need to stop trying to fix the unfixable. Successful executives emphasize raising the bar in their organization and not coddling the bottom. When their focus and attention is directed toward their stars, they'll find their organization soaring upward.