The new Five Cs
- Dr Lee Kang Yam
- May 30, 2025
- 2 min read
No, this is not the five Cs of Singapore but the five Cs that make performance conversations work.
Performance conversations are one of the most powerful tools a leader has, yet so often, they miss the mark. They become routine. Transactional. One-way. But when done well, these conversations build clarity, trust, motivation, and real growth. In Getting to the Heart of Performance Management, I share a simple framework to bring performance conversations to life: the Five Cs - Clarity, Challenge, Care, Communication, and Coaching.
Each “C” represents a shift in mindset, not just a technique:
Clarity ensures that people know what’s expected of them, not just in results, but in behaviours. Without it, even high performers can feel lost or misaligned.
Challenge stretches people beyond their comfort zone. It’s about believing in potential and inviting others to step into growth, not just settle for what’s easy or familiar.
Care builds safety. It reminds us that performance conversations aren’t about catching people out, they’re about supporting people in. When people feel cared for, they’re more open to feedback and change.
Communication is the engine that drives trust. It’s about two-way dialogue, not one-way instruction. Listening, asking, clarifying, these all turn a monologue into a meaningful exchange.
Coaching anchors the conversation in ownership. It shifts the leader’s role from “problem-solver” to “thinking partner.” It empowers employees to reflect, act, and lead their own development.
These five elements aren’t a checklist, they’re a way of being. When leaders bring the Five Cs into their everyday conversations, performance becomes something that is co-owned, co-shaped, and continuously refined.
So the next time you prepare for a check-in, ask yourself:
Am I bringing the right mix of clarity, challenge, and care? Am I creating space for real communication? Am I showing up as a coach, not just a boss?
Because when the Five Cs are present, performance conversations don’t just work, they become transformative.
For more insights on performance management conversations, check out our blogs.
Learn more about our Performance Management Conversations workshop and training for managers here.
Comments