Every team runs into obstacles now and then—unexpected problems, delays, or even confusion that stops things from going to plan. When targets aren’t being met or quality is slipping, a good manager doesn’t just push harder. They step back, spot the real issues, and work with the team to find practical solutions.

The first step is identifying what’s really going wrong. It’s tempting to assume people aren’t trying hard enough, but the problem is often deeper. Maybe a system is outdated, communication is unclear, or someone simply hasn’t had the right training. For example, if a team keeps missing deadlines, is the workload too heavy? Are priorities unclear? Is there a technical issue causing delays?

A friendly one-to-one chat or a quick team huddle can be all it takes to get to the root of things. Listening is key. Your team is closest to the work—they’ll usually know what’s getting in the way.

Once the issue is clear, it’s time to look at solutions. This might mean rearranging workloads, bringing in extra support, updating systems, or setting more realistic targets. Suppose your team is struggling to meet a quality standard in reports because they’re rushing to meet deadlines. You could try breaking the work into smaller chunks, giving more time for review, or introducing a checklist to catch mistakes early.

Sometimes, targets aren’t being met because goals aren’t clear. If no one fully understands what success looks like, they’ll all head in different directions. Make sure everyone knows what the targets are, what quality means in practice, and why it matters. People are far more likely to aim for high standards if they know the reason behind them.

Of course, some problems are harder to fix. You might face resistance to change or discover the issue is linked to external pressures like supplier delays or budget cuts. In these cases, stay open and honest with your team. Share what you know, involve them in problem-solving, and keep communication flowing.

Tracking progress after changes is important too. Don’t just fix the issue and move on—check in regularly to make sure the fix is working and that the team feels supported. Small tweaks might still be needed, and ongoing feedback helps avoid future slip-ups.

And remember—praise progress. When the team improves quality or meets a tough target, celebrate it. It shows their efforts are noticed and builds momentum.

In short, when targets aren’t being hit or quality is falling, don’t panic. Look for the root cause, involve your team, and tackle the issue step by step. A supportive, solutions-focused approach makes all the difference—and helps your team get back on track with confidence.

This post assists completion of the following criteria:

302 ML15 1.6 Explain how to address issues that hamper the achievement of targets and quality standards