Just because staff members demonstrate negative characteristics doesn’t mean they are unmanageable. Here are ways to coach three types of difficult employees.
Victims. They blame others for their poor performance and complain a lot. Focus on the present and future—don’t let them rehash the past. Ask victims to identify their top problem and plan to manage it. Make it clear that they are in charge of solving the problem, and coach them on the importance of being responsible and completing tasks on time.
Perfectionists. They set high standards for everything they do, but they often miss deadlines in their pursuit of perfection. Acknowledge their commitment to high quality, while establishing specific priorities and emphasizing the importance of deadlines.
Procrastinators. They create stress for themselves and coworkers as they try to meet deadlines at the last minute. For procrastinators, break down tasks into smaller tasks and schedule regular check-ins to discuss progress.
