Managing direct reports involves attending to both task and relationship management issues by involving employees in planning, breaking team plans into individual plans, procuring resources, tracking and measuring performance against standards monthly, providing coaching to help employees grow, and rewarding progress to keep motivation high.

1. How to Manage the Performance of Direct Reports
Managing direct reports involves attending to both task and
relationship management issues. Paying attention to relationship
issues fosters employee involvement and commitment to team
plans and processes.
Involve employees in planning:
Use the energy, experience and expertise of all team members to
formulate project plans
Break team plans into individual plans:
Individually involve direct reports in creating personalized
performance goals and processes
Procure resources:
Ensure that plans are adequately resourced prior to implementation
Track and measure performance against standards:
Meet with each employee on a monthly basis ( more frequently if
performance is lagging ) to track progress and document
achievements and setbacks , and to give development feedback.
Provide coaching:
Offer coaching to employees who want or need to grow beyond
their current performance level and assist the employee in reducing
or removing barriers to performance.
Reward progress:
Reinforce success and demonstrate appreciation to keep
motivation high