re: OT Managers: How do you hold your direct reports accountable?

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what if your direct report to is a complete idiot and dumb as a box of hair?

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This is a very good question working in the public sector (in my instance, the military). You have people that are completely incompetent and yet cannot be fired (in the truest sense of the word).

In this example, play the long game (something I am horrible at doing - very impatient). Counsel, counsel, counsel and document, document, document. Establish your case for retaining or terminating the employee. It is nothing personal, just business. I use the following model (taught commonly in the miltary and very good in making these type of determinations);

- Does Know / Wants to Learn (Retain-Promote)
- Does Not Know / Wants to Learn (Retain-Train)
- Does Know / Does not Want to Learn (Counsel-Retain/Terminate)
- Does Not Know / Does not Want to Learn (Counsel-Terminate)

Bottom line, leadership is a collaborative effort. You have to make a determination (judgment call) as to whether the person truly wants to be a productive part of your team or not.