Eric Lynn, senior learning Manager at Microsoft, offered a clear message in an interview featured in Performance Magazine – Print Edition, No. 32 (The Employee Performance Edition): performance culture starts with clarity—and leaders who set the tone.

Lynn, who also serves as a professional coach in Microsoft’s Customer and Partner Solutions (MCAPS) organization, explained that without clear standards, workplace culture risks becoming inconsistent and reactive. With nearly two decades of experience in learning and development, he draws from a background in sports administration and leadership, applying strategic thinking to how teams function.

“In a performance-based culture, it is imperative to have transparency and clear standards,” he noted. That consistency allows individuals to focus, contribute, and move the business forward, especially as technologies like AI change the way work is distributed and measured.

He emphasizes that today’s workplace demands a more team-oriented approach. While individual contribution remains important, accountability now sits with leaders just as much as with employees. “If a member of the team is struggling, leaders must ask why—and what can be done to support them,” he said.

Lynn also cautions against over-reliance on incentives alone to drive results. A strong performance culture, he explained, requires alignment, trust, and a structure that allows individuals to act with autonomy. Without that, even the most well-designed reward systems may fall short.

One of the most practical tools he highlights is coaching based on curiosity. Replacing judgment with questions such as “What about…” or “Have we considered…” creates space for reflection and improvement, while still keeping performance expectations in focus.

Lynn’s advice is grounded in a simple principle: when employees know what is expected of them, and when standards are consistently applied, performance improves. Leaders, in turn, can focus on supporting long-term results instead of correcting short-term missteps.

To read the full interview, download Performance Magazine – Print Edition, No. 32 (The Employee Performance Edition) for free via the TKI Marketplace. Printed copies are also available for order on Amazon (printing and shipping fees apply).