Strategic Workforce Management: Unveiling the Rule of Thirds in Business

In the dynamic landscape of modern business, the success of an organization hinges on its ability to manage its most valuable asset strategically: its workforce. Enter the Rule of Thirds, a concept that revolutionizes the traditional approach to employee management. Originally used in photography as a composition guideline, the Rule of Thirds has been adopted in business, specifically in employee performance. The paradigm asserts that an organization’s workforce can be effectively categorized into three distinct segments: the top 1/3, the middle 1/3, and the bottom 1/3. Each segment demands a unique set of strategies to optimize performance and ensure the sustained growth of the business.

In this ebook, we’ll uncover the intricacies of the concept and how to apply the Rule of Thirds to optimize your current workforce and pave the way for future growth.

Understanding the Rule of Thirds

In a business setting, the Rule of Thirds originated from recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach to employee management is inherently limiting. By acknowledging the unique characteristics and needs of different groups of workers, organizations can tailor their strategies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, targeted coaching, and strategic exits where necessary. 

However, the division of groups may differ by discipline. In the case of HR, for example, the following three groups have been identified and serve as a guide for building a positive culture: 

1. Employees who like the company, appreciate their jobs and work to achieve company goals (champions)
2. Employees who dislike the company, don’t enjoy their work and may not be all that hard-working (negatives)
3. Employees who are neutral and might be swayed by their peers, the right promotion or a job offer (undecideds) 

For sales leaders, the distinction is typically based on performance, where one-third of sales executives are above-average performers, one-third are average, and one-third are below-average. 

No matter how the principle is applied, it serves as a compass, guiding leaders towards a more balanced approach to managing unique individuals and developing a high-performing workforce that aligns with organizational goals.

Retaining the Top 1/3

Generally speaking, organizations that recognize the value of retaining the top third, regardless of how the groups are broken out, are more likely to succeed and sustain a competitive edge. Top performers are more likely to feel burnt out, exhausted and underappreciated, which means that if they don’t get the recognition and support they deserve, they’ll walk out the door confident in their ability to find something better. 

Leaders need to recognize and acknowledge their contributions to keep employees in that top group motivated. Implementing robust recognition programs celebrates individual accomplishments and reinforces a culture that values excellence. Providing professional development opportunities and career growth paths demonstrates a commitment to the continual advancement of those top performers, too. 

Regular check-ins are a requirement to ensure employees are not at risk of burning out, lacking motivation or facing challenges that will impact their morale or work output. In a positive and inclusive work environment where employees feel valued and their contributions recognized, workers are more likely to have a sense of loyalty and attachment. 

The more organizations can do to keep those top performers happy, the greater their impact will be overall. But, they cannot ignore the middle group.

Make the Middle ⅓ a Priority

Various research highlights the importance of focusing on the middle third. The logic here is that your top performers are already great, why not push your average performers to be great, too and expand that top tier? 

In order to boost the performance of the middle group, leaders need to gauge capability (skill) versus motivation (will). In an ideal case, employees present both high skill and high will, but that’s not a realistic expectation for all team members. And, the approach to managing people with varying levels of will and skill plays a huge role in whether or not they succeed. For instance, employees in need of coaching up often exhibit potential but may lack specific skills to reach their full capabilities. Developing personalized coaching programs tailored to their unique strengths and weaknesses can provide targeted skill enhancement. This development may involve mentorship, training sessions, and constructive feedback to nurture their professional growth. On the flip side, there are instances where employees in the middle third may not align with organizational goals or exhibit persistent performance issues. In such cases, implementing a performance improvement plan (PIP) may be the best option. 

PIPs involve setting clear performance goals, defining specific improvement actions, and establishing a timeline for evaluation. These plans serve as a roadmap for underperformers to enhance their skills and meet the expected standards. However, implementing PIPs is not without its challenges. Communication is pivotal, and ensuring transparency in expectations and consequences is essential. Resistance from employees, lack of commitment, or external factors affecting performance are potential hurdles that must be navigated. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive understanding of individual circumstances and a flexible coaching process that adapts to the unique needs of each employee. Successful coaching processes involve a combination of empathy, clear communication, and a commitment to the professional development of every team member.

When a PIP doesn’t work or an employee is not showing an inclination to improve, developing compassionate but decisive coaching programs that facilitate a smooth transition out of the organization becomes imperative. This process requires a careful balance between providing support for improvement and making tough decisions that align with the overall well-being of the business.

Exiting the Bottom 1/3

Strategies for ethically and professionally managing employee exits also need to be established. Clear communication and constructive feedback are paramount in navigating the exit process and cannot be overstated. Without transparent communication, you risk confusion, resentment or worse. Organizations must be vigilant in mitigating potential legal and cultural implications associated with employee exits. Adhering to legal frameworks and ensuring that the departure aligns with cultural values helps maintain organizational integrity and reputation. 

Beyond the immediate challenges of employee exits, a forward-thinking approach involves redirecting focus toward organizational growth. By strategically concentrating on development opportunities, talent acquisition, and cultivating a positive workplace culture, businesses can overcome the impact of the bottom 1/3 turnover and set the stage for sustained growth and success.

Implementing the Rule of Thirds in Your Business

To adopt the Rule of Thirds in workforce management effectively, organizations need access to data. Knowing which third an employee falls into is critical but not enough – we need to understand why and what got them there. 

Workforce data is the backbone of evidence-based decision-making, offering insights into patterns, trends, and correlations that might otherwise go unnoticed. The strategic utilization of data empowers organizations to understand the dynamics of their employees and make well-informed choices. Of course, there is a vast amount of information available today that provides insight into how employees work, when and where they work best, and who they collaborate with, for instance, but digesting it can be daunting. The value of that data lies not in its sheer volume but in the actionable insights it provides, driving organizations toward more effective, efficient, and future-oriented decision-making.

With Prodoscore, organizations get visibility into a comprehensive overview of critical data points in an easily digestible format, enabling leaders to pinpoint and assess risks, identify opportunities for improvement and optimize strategies. Engagement-related insights enhance accountability by providing a transparent and measurable basis for key decisions. 

Pinpointing high, medium and low performers or contributors is only the beginning. Developing a customized plan based on the unique needs of each of the workers within those groups is the key to embracing a strategic and forward-looking approach to management.

Find out how Prodoscore’s analytics and data intelligence solution turns data into action and transform your growth trajectory.