Art Markman, a former psychology professor and current Senior Vice Provost at the University of Texas at Austin, shares insights on handling challenging employees. He discusses strategies for managing communication issues, from passive-aggressive behavior to excessive politeness. Markman emphasizes the importance of tailored feedback and active listening to enhance workplace dynamics. He also offers advice on empowering employees to be more assertive, promoting a supportive environment to foster their growth.
Engaging with challenging employees through specific feedback can improve team dynamics and encourage personal growth.
Fostering active listening skills among employees enhances communication clarity and reduces misunderstandings during interactions.
Deep dives
Managing Annoying Subordinates
Handling challenging team dynamics is a key aspect of effective leadership. It is essential to recognize that dismissing unlikable employees merely as annoying can prevent constructive communication. Engaging with these individuals and providing specific feedback on their behavior can foster improvement and help them align better with team expectations. Acknowledging the underlying issues, such as social awkwardness versus intentional combative behavior, is crucial for facilitating an open dialogue and encouraging personal growth.
Providing Effective Feedback
Offering constructive feedback to a subordinate with frustrating communication habits requires a strategic approach. Instead of labeling the employee as unlikable, it's beneficial to focus on specific behaviors that hinder team interactions, such as interrupting or drifting off-topic during meetings. Suggesting tools like using a notepad to jot down points before speaking can help encourage better listening habits. Moreover, reinforcing the importance of concise communication can aid in improving the individual's overall effectiveness and integration within the team.
Building Listening Skills
Improving communication isn't just about speaking clearly; it also hinges on active listening skills. Encouraging employees to focus on listening during conversations can transform their interactions and reduce misunderstandings. Techniques such as practicing mindfulness during meetings, where they wait for natural pauses to respond, can greatly enhance their communication impact. Recording and reviewing conversations can provide invaluable insights into their speaking patterns, helping them adjust more effectively in future interactions.
Empathy and Assertiveness in Leadership
Developing a leader's empathetic approach toward subordinates can significantly influence team dynamics. Understanding why a typically polite or deferential employee behaves as they do can foster a supportive environment and help them become more assertive. Implementing specific behavioral changes, such as asserting themselves in meetings or voicing their opinions without excessive apologies, can empower them to grow professionally. By focusing on actions rather than assumptions, leaders can create a pathway for open communication that nurtures both individual and team development.
Do you have an employee who just gets on your nerves?
In this episode, Dear HBR cohostsAlison Beard and Dan McGinn answer listener questions with the help of Art Markman, former professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and now the school’s Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.
They talk through how to manage someone who is difficult, overly polite, or passive aggressive. Markman also offers advice for how to give your initial feedback and then follow up. He also has tips for coaching an employee who needs to improve their communication skills.
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