How New Managers Can Coach Underperformers Without Rescuing Them

In this episode of New Manager Conversations, Lucas and Luna tackle one of the hardest transitions from peer to manager: addressing a team member who isn't meeting expectations—without falling into the trap of doing their work for them. They walk through a real case from a first-time manager at a mid-sized SaaS company, where a formerly strong individual contributor started missing deadlines and producing sloppy work after a reorg. Lucas explains the 'coach vs. rescuer' framework, why most new managers default to rescuing, and how to structure a single 'clean feedback loop' that preserves the relationship while holding the person accountable. They also talk about what to do if the behavior doesn't change after three loops, including when to escalate to HR and how to document without being adversarial. Specific talking points include the SBI model (Situation, Behavior, Impact), the fixed vs. growth mindset trap in performance conversations, and why avoiding the conversation is actually the least kind option. A practical episode for anyone who's ever felt guilty setting a high bar. #NewManager #FirstTimeManager #PerformanceManagement #Coaching #Feedback #Underperformance #LeadershipBasics #CareerGrowth #ManagerTraining #DifficultConversations #WorkplaceCommunication #HR #TeamDevelopment #EmployeePerformance #GrowthMindset #SBIModel #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo