In clinical research projects, one underperforming team member can affect not just productivity, but also team morale. This is especially critical when the timeline is tight and regulatory standards are high. A real-world example of this occurred during the development of a large multi-center clinical trial for a cardiac device, where one site consistently failed to meet enrollment targets and made repeated protocol errors. While the rest of the project team was working hard to stay on schedule, this one site’s poor performance led to additional monitoring visits, re-training, and ultimately, a delay in the trial timeline. The frustration started to spread, with high-performing teams feeling like their work was being overshadowed or held back.
I think the solution starts with open and structured communication. Instead of immediately assigning blame, project managers should approach the situation with curiosity, identify if the underperformance is due to lack of training, unclear expectations, or external challenges. Performance management should be objective, with regular feedback and support. In some cases, reassigning responsibilities or providing additional resources can turn performance around. If not, setting clear expectations and boundaries ensures accountability without affecting the motivation of the rest of the team. When handled with fairness and transparency, these challenges can actually strengthen the team’s overall resilience. What do you all think, how do you handle situations like this in your teams?