Do you struggle with a "problem" employee? If so, join the crowd! Many of my coaching clients - businesses owners or managers - tear their hair out over one or more toxic employees. In our business environment, we tend to recreate the dynamics of the family we grew up, so no wonder problems develop.
It's amazing often a business owner or manager will endure a "problem" employee, unable to help the employee make positive changes and unable to fire them when necessary. Tolerating a problem employee is like walking around with a sliver in your foot - highly irritating, but you can kind of get used to it. Then, when you finally pull it out, you can't believe the relief! That relief generally comes in one of two ways: either you and your employee are able to make some mutual improvements, or you part ways.
I recommend a two step approach to this issue. First, you do whatever can be done to turn the situation around. Very often, you may have made a few half-hearted attempts to resolve the situation, but feel lost at sea about what else can be done. You must address the issues directly, calmly and clearly with the employee. Expectations must be set, problems and solutions explored. Check in regularly with the employee to monitor progress.
On a more powerful level, the turnaround can result when you learn your own and your employee's behavioral style. I like to use the Platinum Rule assessment, developed by Dr. Tony Alessandra. It's inexpensive ($30 - $50), easy to understand and extremely powerful in helping us understand our own and others' behavior. Your style and this employee's style probably differ. (For more information on the Platinum rule, visit: http://www.authentic- alternatives.com/platinumrule.htm )
The Golden Rule advises you to treat others as you would like to be treated. The Platinum Rule advances this to the next level and suggests that you treat others as you would like to be treated. Your "problem" employee may be - and probably is - a different style than you. The Platinum Rule shows us four core behavioral styles (Relater, Socializer, Thinker and Director) and gives us many concrete tactics of how we can flex to meet the other person's style. I have seen near miracles occur - the proverbial light bulbs go off - when my clients use this assessment to better understand themselves and their employees and co-workers.
The second step of the two-step approach: suppose you've fully implemented the first step (turnaround) and the situation remains unacceptable. Now it's firing time, and because I bet you care about other people, you know that it's one of the most unwanted and difficult tasks an owner or manager faces. I encourage my clients to remember that a business or organization cannot afford to carry an unproductive and toxic employee. An employee person unwilling or unable to make the necessary improvements must be sent to find an employment situation that fits them better. This does not make you an evil or uncompassionate human being.
So pull out "the sliver" and create a positive, unstoppable team. The number one key to professional success is the quality of the people you surround yourself with - employees, colleagues, spouse, friends. Life speeds by, so remove the rocks from your river and let it flow forward, full force. If you can't turn around a problem employee, you must let them go. It's not your fault and if you want your business to flourish, and you will at times find you have to terminate.
Anne Alexander is a coach who works with business owners, executives and professionals as their strategic partner to grow their business or career, improve their effectiveness and become powerful managers. For Anne's free, popular 8 part e-course "Maximize Your Professional Success," send a blank email to mailto:maximize@authentic-alternatives.com or visit http://www.authentic-alternatives.com
*** attn Ezine editors / Site owners **
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.
If you do use the material, please send us a note so we can take a look. Thanks.
Ineffective communication is a major, yet avoidable, obstacle to business... Read More
The time will come when you'll need to interview someone... Read More
For the past several weeks, we have focused on some... Read More
At one time or another, all of us have experienced... Read More
There ought to be a sign posted on every closed... Read More
What is document management: When we think about "Document Management"... Read More
One of the most common complaints that business owners have... Read More
Customer relationship management (CRM) is one of the most effective... Read More
One of the major benefits, if not THE benefit of... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Which documents must I keep for ISO 9001?In addition to... Read More
I'm often asked to come in to organizations and give... Read More
We have only one life, but we live in three... Read More
This article begins with a tip of the hat to... Read More
Why are people changing jobs so quickly these days?Here are... Read More
STEPS TOWARDS A GOOD APPRAISAL INTERVIEW:Don't say: "You just don't... Read More
The overriding goal of ISO-14000. (History 1995)As ISO-9000 becomes a... Read More
Everyone knows that an agenda is the key to an... Read More
A recent Washington Post article, described the life of temporary... Read More
Hiring employees is a huge responsibility. Before hiring anyone, be... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
I once worked in a place where there were three... Read More
Each day millions of workers spend 8 hours or more... Read More
It's hard to believe the year will be half over... Read More
Tips for Getting the Most From Your Conference Investment All... Read More
[This article is based on excerpts from the special report... Read More
MSDS SHEETSMSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheets. MSDS sheets... Read More
At some point, your business is going to need to... Read More
As the business world enters a period of hyper-competitiveness, every... Read More
Wouldn't it be great if we got get the cheapest... Read More
OK. So you have decided that your organization has to... Read More
Imagine the following scenario - you pay a visit to... Read More
As a manager, it is your job to ensure that... Read More
In today's competitive environment, companies realize that a good boss... Read More
In part one of this article I told you about... Read More
The company decided to develop and implement an improvement program.... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Do you ever need to find some good ideas, or... Read More
It is 9:00 am on a Monday morning. Do you... Read More
Everyone knows that an agenda is the key to an... Read More
Being a leader isn't easy. Every one looks to you... Read More
Trust is essential. You can't run a business without it.... Read More
Innovation is different and distinct from creativity in that it... Read More
Project management is a very important business concept because it... Read More
What is document management: When we think about "Document Management"... Read More
Decision-making shows up throughout the problem-solving process. The decisions may... Read More
I don't encourage managers to wear funny hats, appear in... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Do you have more projects than time? Help might be... Read More
1. Personal insight. Great CEOs are great leaders. They know... Read More
How long does it take your customers, clients or patients... Read More
Even in today's still uncertain economic times, there are companies... Read More
A curious thing happens to entrepreneurs in the spring of... Read More
"I'm in an abusive relationship," sighed Andrew. "My bookkeeper annoys... Read More
When you think of all the things companies have, you... Read More
In my book "You're In Charge?What Now?" I use a... Read More
This article relates to the Work/Life Balance competency, which investigates... Read More
To a narcissist-employer, the members of his "staff" are Secondary... Read More
IntroductionManagers have two powerful ways of improving the performance and... Read More
It's amazing what you can accomplish if you don't care... Read More
Effective communication in business is not about creating the perfect... Read More
"We have to be careful it's like a minefield out... Read More
Change is not simple. Why do we repeat behavior that... Read More
If you are completely happy with where you and your... Read More
Hiring good people is only half the battle. The other... Read More
Did you know that maintenance accounts for 50% to 80%... Read More
Business Management |