Episode 29: The Quiet 10%. Who's Really not Performing?

There’s a group in every organization we rarely talk about.It is the quiet 10–15% who have learned how to stay… just below the threshold.In Episode 29 of The Orange Twist, Giovanna D’Alessio explores this subtle and often invisible dynamic: the people who are present, compliant, and never quite problematic—yet somehow not fully there.This episode moves beyond the usual question of performance management and asks something far more uncomfortable:What have we, as leaders, made possible?Drawing on systemic insights and the relational nature of performance, this reflection uncovers how ambiguity, avoided conversations, and blurred accountability create the perfect conditions for people to quietly disengage.But it doesn’t stop there.Because true leadership begins where avoidance ends.This episode is an invitation to move from elegant explanations to honest conversations—to reconnect, to clarify, and, when needed, to take a stand.For leaders, HR professionals, and coaches navigating complexity, this is a mirror you may not expect—but won’t easily forget.Sometimes people don’t disappear. They are allowed to.The Orange Twist is hosted by Giovanna D’Alessio, MCC — reflections on leadership, culture, and change for HR professionals and organizational leaders. Connect with Giovanna on LinkedIn. New episodes released regularly. Stay curious.