5 Tips for Managing an Employee You Aren’t Able To Connect With

Managing a difficult employee

 

Has this ever happened to you? Someone gets hired on your team and no matter how hard you try, you just can’t connect with them. In fact, you soon realize, you just plain don’t like them. How can you manage and lead this person when you’d rather they joined someone else’s team?

While this isn’t an ideal situation for any manager, it’s certainly one that most have experienced at one time or another. If you’re facing this issue, here are 5 tips for dealing with it:

Tip #1: Look at the situation as an opportunity.

When you manage people you love, you’re not going to grow much as a leader. However managing someone you don’t love…at all…ever…is going to force you to expand your leadership skills and abilities.

So ask yourself: Do you offer enough feedback to this person, or steer clear of them? Do you gossip about them to your subordinates? Do you work with them to define performance goals and expectations, or leave them to their own devices? You may want to walk from the situation. But if you’re a true leader, you will work to find a solution.

Tip #2: Be clear about your work style.

If your employee is driving you nuts because they constantly pop into your office unannounced with progress updates, don’t bite your tongue. Let them know you’d prefer an emailed report at the end of each week. They can’t read your mind and don’t know your communication preferences and work style unless you tell them. It’s up to you to ensure you’re crystal clear here.

Tip #3: Find your source of frustration.

What is it about the employee that annoys you? Do they need a lot of hand-holding? Are they constantly negative in meetings? Do they show up 10 minutes late every day?

Once you hone in on the source of your frustrations, you can create a plan of action for dealing with it. And if it’s something like the fact the he wears bow ties everyday to work, then just let it go. It’s not worth the frustration.

Tip #4: Focus on their strengths.

Is there any area where you employee is exceptionally strong? Then use it to your advantage. The more your employee delivers high quality work, the better it will reflect on you and the easier it will be to have them as a part of your team.

Tip #5: Try to connect.

Look for any common ground the two of you might share, whether it’s small kids or a favorite TV show. The more similarities you can find, the less you will see any annoying habits your employee may have.

You’re going to have to manage those you don’t like at some point in your career. However, the sooner you learn to deal with it and develop leadership habits to engage with them, the happier and more successful you’ll be on the job.

Do you need help hiring people that are a great fit for your company and the culture? As one of the leading staffing firms in Kansas City, we’d welcome the chance to meet with you and discuss your staffing and HR needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you!