Andrew Rondeau

Andrew is the owner of this website and has been a Leader, Manager, Coach and Consultant for the last twenty-five years.

As A New Manager, Don’t Spend 57% of your Time Dealing With Difficult Staff

By Andrew Rondeau
Published 02/4/2008

The majority of new managers waste around 57% of their time dealing with difficult staff? Why?

It is because they don’t know the secrets of how to easily deal with these problem staff that every business has. You cannot just end the employees’ contract anymore, like you could in the old days due to the new employment laws, so you as a manager have the challenge of handling and rectifying the situation, so that both you, on behalf of the company and the employee, both feel happy with the resolution.

Don’t Slip UP

This is where most new managers unfortunately slip up. Instead of taking time to find out the true problem which is causing the employee to become difficult and then planning a strategy to deal with problem, thus giving the employee a chance to become a positive member of the team, most managers will just go in all guns blazing to try and eliminate the problem, which will not work.

You only actually need to follow these three rules, in order to turn your problem employee, into a productive employee:

1. Training and Development

Has your employee been properly trained and developed? You need to make sure that their training and development period was adequate and they know what is expected of them in their job and can thus perform the duties required of them, as set out within the guidelines of the business.

If you are happy that all these procedures have been properly fulfilled, move onto number 2. If you believe that the employees’ training and development has not been satisfactory and there are areas which need to be covered, then you need to re-train them.

2. Working Environment
The employees work environment could be affecting their performance? They may have developed an allergy to the equipment that they work with, or there may be something in the air causing problems which prevents them getting the job done. Also, lack of space, incorrect chairs or tools needed to perform their roles could also be a factor.

If any of these environmental issues are the cause of the problem, then finding an alternative job within the company with a better climate, or providing the appropriate tools may be the answer to sorting the problem. If the environment is not the problem however, then the only other option is to move onto section 3, Staff Behaviour.

3. Staff Behavior
If the employees’ issues are caused by their behaviour, then this is difficult, as people generally get offended and defensive on this subject. Therefore, you as a manager need to tackle the issue head on, asking the questions directly and then listening to the answers. These may be related to personal problems, they maybe having trouble with other work colleagues or they may just hate their job, whatever the answer, you need to offer a solution, be it counselling, meeting with the other colleague, or even arranging temporary leave to sort their personal problems out. You need to remember before the meeting closes, to inform the employee, as their manager, of your expectations of their behaviour at work.

If you follow the above steps, you will be able to improve the behaviour and performance of even the most difficult member of staff!

Be Known As An Effective And Efficient New Manager

Remember, that the most important thing to do as a new manager, is to tackle difficult staff issues as soon as possible when they arise and not avoid them. You will then be looked upon as an effective and efficient manager.

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4 Responses to "As A New Manager, Don’t Spend 57% of your Time Dealing With Difficult Staff"

Andrew Rondeau

said this on 09 Feb 2008 4:33:21 AM EST

Jeanie, Thanks for your kind words. I tend to focus on new managers beacuse in my experience new managers find it hard to ask for advice becasue they think they have to know the answers themselves (which is not true!).

Andrew

(Reply to this comment)

Jeanie Marshall

said this on 08 Feb 2008 8:15:47 PM EST

Andrew,

Your advice to new managers is so important. It can certainly be difficult to find that balance between managing the whole group for morale, efficiency, and effectiveness and managing a single difficult employee. And long-time managers don't always find this balance easily, either.

http://www.jmviews.co m

(Reply to this comment)

suzy podd

said this on 15 Feb 2008 6:16:12 PM EST

As a manager i am expected to no
everything and i dont . Idesperatly
need help in this matter. staff are a
real problem at momment

(Reply to this comment)

Andrew Rondeau

said this on 16 Feb 2008 2:34:52 AM EST

Suzy,

Thanks for commenting. Unfortunately as a manager you are expected to know everything and you also get little support. Can you expand on the staff problems you have?

Andrew

(Reply to this comment)