Are the best employees also the most difficult?
4 tactics to manage their ways
Why is it your best employees can also be the most difficult?
It’s a terrible conundrum nearly every manager has to face – and kind of like a dating relationship: Those traits that wooed you at first become habits that drive everyone crazy.
Here are four traits you likely look for in employees that, when taken to the extreme, turn detrimental.
1.Passion becomes promotional
At first: You likely find, hire or promote people who are enthusiastic, outgoing and optimistic. Hiring managers probably get along with them off-the-bat. Co-workers and other bosses find them engaging.
Overboard: They become self-absorbed and lose sight of the actual work goals. They crave attention, overtake meetings and chat too much, distracting themselves and co-workers.
Solution: Satisfy their need for attention and have productive conversations by asking for feedback while reminding them they’re part of a team: “Hey, I really need your opinion on X. Some other team members had some good ideas and I’d like to hear yours.” Or, “We’re going ahead with X. What do you think the team goals should be to get there?”
2.Confidence becomes dominance
At first: Some people stand out because they’re direct, confident and results-driven. Managers might get them on a team and assign them larger responsibilities because they work well under pressure.
Overboard: Then they become bossy, even aggressive. Because they want to be in charge, they become callous and condescending – or at least are perceived to be that way.
Solution: These employees want to be respected and achieve big results. Give them lofty goals and recognize their personal accomplishments. In
teams, give them specific roles and celebrate group wins,
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