* Dealing with difficult employees
Problem employees take many different forms: some do sloppy work or are incompetent, others have attitude problems or anger management issues and still more staffers suffer from addiction or emotional issues. What they have in common is that you may one day be called upon to manage them.
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Gini Graham Scott, author of the new book “A Survival Guide to Managing Employees from Hell.” Scott, founder and director of Changemakers, is a sociologist who specializes in improving work relationships. Her previous tomes include “A Survival Guide for Working with Humans” and “A Survival Guide for Working with Bad Bosses.”
Scott’s book outlines the various types of problem employees and what steps managers can take to reign in these workers and gain control. Though each situation and workplace is different, she notes that communications problems tend to be those that can most easily be remedied, whereas addressing employees with bad attitudes can be among the most challenging situations to tackle. No matter what issue makes working with a staffer difficult, Scott advises managers to take the following steps:
* Work to try to get things out in the open. If something is bothering you or you sense that something is bothering someone else, find an appropriate way to bring this to the surface and try to clarify or check out your assumptions. Maybe there’s a communications breakdown or the worker needs some time off. by making a little exception, you may have the employee become more productive and loyal.
* Foster a sense of openness so people feel comfortable coming to talk to you and put issues on the table.
* Stay calm. Don’t let things upset you, present a calm, even face. Be aware of your own emotional feelings and get those under control.
For more information on the survival guide, click here.
