3 Steps to Dealing with a Challenging Employee

19 July 2010 3 Comments

I met a friend recently who manages a small business. He was under a lot of stress due to the behaviour of one of his employees.

She constantly undermined his authority, criticized at every opportunity and generally had a negative impact on company morale.

So, what should he do to rectify this situation? Often having an employee with a negative mindset is like a rotten apple in a barrel – the feeling spreads. So if you find yourself in a similar situation, here are 3 steps to think about.

Step 1: Change your Footwear

Step into the shoes of the employee. Imagine how they are viewing their world of work. Get curious about what it is that is making them feel negative. If you can’t picture this, then maybe it would help to get to know them better.
If you can see things from their perspective, you just might be able to change it.
Realize that change does not happen over night; you need to be patient, invest time and ask good, probing questions to help the employee rethink their mindset.

Step 2: Trust your Gut

If your gut is telling you that an employee’s behavior is unacceptable, then don’t be afraid to deal with it. Faced with a challenging employee, it is very common to feel uncertain, afraid and stressed out as a result. BUT remember if there are 10 people on your team, the remaining 9 will be supporting you, even if silently. No-one wants to work for a manager who sweeps problems under the carpet and hopes they will go away.

See it as an opportunity to prove how capable you are as a manager – both to yourself and others.

Step 3: What was it I said?

Note it! When you decide to deal with the situation, note every incident, phone call, meeting and agreed action. Not only will this help you maintain your resolve, it will also provide evidence in case of a legal action at a later stage. Remember to note facts and timelines, not opinions.

A very competent manager told me he followed the 3 Fs rule – Fair, Firm and Friendly. Keep these in your mind as you interact with your employee. Do your utmost to help them develop a more positive mindset, which is the best outcome for everyone concerned.

Author Bio: Ann Halloran offers practical advice and tips on topics such as time management, presentation skills, performance appraisal, teamwork, motivation, managing change, managing conflict, leadership and communications. To find out more about Ann, visit her online at www.practical-management-skills.com.