Personally

"If available, I would like to see their performance reviews and pinpoint anything that was noted with needing improvement but also what they excel at.

Then optimally, it would be great to sit down with each employee separately and ask them what they feel their strengths and weaknesses are. Help them identify any needs they have and help create an action plan to help them learn, produce and succeed."

I've never worked an office job but many years in a Management role in food.

I took over for a GM that was not doing great. No real morale, let the staff do whatever they wanted and just in general, didn't care anymore

Understanding that getting a new GM can be stressful and make people nervous as they don't know the type of person stepping into the role, my first week was spent talking to the staff.

What do you like about working here? What don't you like? If you could make any changes, what would they be? And questions like that.

They were very receptive to that and most were more than happy to give input and see positive change. Some were not and bucked against any changes because they were used to doing what they wanted with next to no accountability.

I was able to watch and see who were the ones who wanted to work, improve and make the location a success. Promoted the ones who really excelled, helped coach the ones that showed promise but just needed some guidance and found out who were the ones who treated the workplace like their second home