Divergent Discussion: What If It's Not a Performance Problem?

Hosted by: Karla Pretorius, Clinical Lead at Kaboose

📍 Online (virtual event)

🎥 Replay available

What If It's Not a Performance Problem?

Rethinking the behaviours we find challenging, burnout and the way we design work.

A Divergent Discussion with Shamus Hart

When someone is missing deadlines, struggling to prioritise, withdrawing from colleagues or finding it harder to keep up, it can be easy to label what we see as a performance problem.

But what if we're looking at the behaviour without understanding what's driving it?

In this Divergent Discussion with Shamus Hart, we’ll explore what can sit underneath the behaviours we find challenging at work, from burnout and cognitive overload to unclear expectations, unsuitable systems and environments that create unnecessary friction.

We’ll question the way we define and respond to “performance” and consider what might change when we become more curious about the conditions people are working in, rather than simply asking them to do better.

We’ll explore:

• What we mean when we call something a “performance problem”.

• What can sit underneath behaviours such as missed deadlines, withdrawal, procrastination or difficulty prioritising.

• How burnout, cognitive load and overwhelm can affect the way someone works.

• Why the same person can appear to perform very differently in different environments.

• The difference between holding appropriate expectations and recognising genuine barriers.

• How workplace systems, processes and expectations can create or reduce friction.

• What it means to design work around people, rather than expecting people to constantly adapt to the way work is designed.

• How managers and organisations can respond with curiosity without lowering expectations.

Who is this event for?

This conversation is designed for:

• Neurodivergent people

• Workplace leaders and managers

• HR, People and Culture and inclusion professionals

• Business owners and employers

• Colleagues and team members

• Allied health and mental health professionals

• Anyone interested in creating more sustainable and inclusive workplaces

What you’ll take away

You’ll leave with a different way of looking at workplace behaviour and performance, along with a deeper understanding of how burnout, overwhelm and workplace design can influence the way people work.

You’ll also come away with practical ideas for responding to challenges with greater curiosity and considering what changes could make work more sustainable. This isn't about excusing every performance issue or lowering expectations. It’s about looking at the bigger picture.

🎟️ Register now to join the discussion live or watch the replay via the Kaboose App.