High Performance Working

The way in which people are managed at work makes a difference to organisational performance.

There is now considerable evidence that a coherent approach to managing  people provides the basis for significant performance gains. Recently, a new approach to managing organisations has emerged that places people and their skills centre-stage.

This approach is known as ‘High Performance Working’ and involves securing greater employee involvement and commitment in order to achieve high levels of performance.

The precise form this takes varies, but it includes activities in human resource management (e.g. pay and incentives, appraisal, workforce development), work organisation (e.g. team working and job design), employment relations, management and leadership (including strategic management and business development as well as line management), and organisational development.

In high performance workplaces all of these policies and practices are underpinned by a philosophy of people management that emphasises autonomy, participation and learning. Many organisations are already taking a high performance working approach and are reaping the benefits of doing so, but for those who have not, it can sometimes seem a costly and daunting possibility. Despite the evidence of gains, the perceived difficulty of adopting such comprehensive change can be a real barrier.

To help you understand the concept of High Performance Working view this short tutorial:

When you have viewed this also view our 5 Minute review tutorial and complete the exercise which goes with it. This will demystify High Performance Working for you and help you identify gaps in your own organisations activities which, if addressed, will improve business performance.