Explanation:
There are two reasons why persons may lose a skill they once possessed:
1) A lack of regular practice, or
2) A lack of regular feedback
Your poor performer may have had the skills needed to perform at some point in the past but may have forgotten those skills due to a lack of practice or a lack of feedback.
To keep skills at a high level you might want to consider a skill maintenance program as well as provide regular feedback about how well the skill is performed. As you assess your poor performer, consider whether he gets regular practice for a skill he only uses infrequently, or whether he is getting regular feedback for a skill he uses often.
Other Questions to Ask
When was the last time this person was called on to use the skill?
How frequently do they use the skills that seems substandard?
How much time elapses between opportunities to use the skill?
Does the poor performer get regular feedback when he performs poorly and as well as when he performs satisfactorily?
Analyzing and Solving People Problems
Question Explanation
Your poor performer may have had the skills needed to perform at some point in the past but may have forgotten those skills due to a lack of practice or a lack of feedback. To keep skills at a high level you might want to consider a skill maintenance program as well as provide regular feedback about how well the skill is performed. As you assess your poor performer, consider whether he gets regular practice for a skill he only uses infrequently, or whether he is getting regular feedback for a skill he uses often.