John Slimp Training & Development

I recently received this question:

“What do you recommend as far as developing a direct report that is constantly looking at what is wrong instead of seeing the progress. This is my road block at work!!”

I am certain we have all experienced this road block at one time or another in our careers no matter what line of work you are in. To take a detour only avoids the issue, takes you out of your way and postpones you getting where you want to go and what you want to achieve; having a solid cohesive functioning team. There can be dangers if you proceed with caution but it is the fastest most direct path to your goal. To solve the problem I would first suggest the 2×4 Plan A approach. Get a 2×4; you can pick one up at your local home improvement store. Grab the 2×4 as you would a bat. Ensure the direct report is standing within 4 feet of you. Swing, and swing hard! If for some reason your H.R. Department is opposed to this approach you might want to proceed to Plan B.

Plan B. I would recommend the following steps; Evaluate, Plan Ahead, Discuss, Resolve, Give Support and Always Follow-Up.

Evaluate. You first need to evaluate the current and potential contributions of the employee to the organization. Are they a valued employee for their productivity and knowledge but their negativity gets in the way or holds them back? If so you need to work to help them change their mindset. If they are just plain negative, a cancer to the rest of the organization, then maybe you need to work on an exit strategy.

Plan Ahead. You need to plan and schedule a private meeting with the individual. Give them about a weeks’ notice. Tell them you want to discuss ways that you can improve the workplace and that you would appreciate their input and suggestions.

Discuss. You never know what is going on in a person’s life until you sit down and discuss it with them. Perhaps they are struggling for some reason personally which is distracting them at work. Often time’s people will take out their frustrations at work, even though we know this is inappropriate. Leave your personal business outside is often easier said than done. Perhaps they don’t feel valued at work and this is causing their negativity. Maybe they feel under-utilized and unchallenged at work and this is causing them to not perform to their potential. Ask for their feedback, ideas and suggestions to improve the workplace which in turn will improve their performance.

Resolve. You need to have an open mind and really listen to and hear their concerns. If it is a home issue you can suggest places they can go or people they can talk with for help and support. If they don’t feel valued you can discuss all the positive things they have contributed, support their efforts and thank them. If they don’t feel challenged you can give them a new or different assignment that will give them more opportunities. If they have given you suggestions either explain the reasons that you cannot implement them, or take them under consideration as possibilities. Never just dismiss their ideas.

Give Support. Give them the support they need to be a positive influence on others and to perform to the best of their ability. Often time’s people focus on the negatives and on what is wrong because they don’t feel that they are being supported. Children sometimes act out just to get attention. Employees do the same thing! Support the fact and show your appreciation for all that they shared with you.

Always Follow-Up. Schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss their performance and to discuss and evaluate the improvement you have seen. This is essential if you want to continue seeing an improvement. If you don’t follow-up, the employee will easily think it was all just talk; they will feel foolish, or feel that you don’t really have a sincere interest in them or their performance.

Our employees, associates, teams just want to feel appreciated and valued, and to know that they are making a contribution to the organization.

Sometimes acting out is nothing more than a cry for attention. Give them the attention they need and deserve!

If this doesn’t work go back to the 2×4 Plan A!!

Remember that a detour can waste your time and delay your success and only avoids the issue. You must deal with negativity with deliberate head-on caution!

Please use the comment section below to share with our readers.

Have you experienced such a Road Block in your career?

What was the situation and how did you handle it?

Would you have done something differently?

What advice would you give to those in a Road Block situation?