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Strategies and tactics for managing difficult employees and enhancing productivity

Published about 21 hours ago

The strategy focuses on managing difficult employees to enhance productivity by implementing clear communication. Regular one-on-one meetings help in understanding employee concerns, while active listening and timely feedback maintain clarity in expectations. For instance, setting clear goals and using written communication ensure that everyone is on the same page. Addressing disruptive behaviors with action plans and reiterating company values contributes to a positive atmosphere.

Providing targeted training and development is crucial. Identifying skill gaps and offering relevant training programs, such as workshops on conflict resolution, help in professional growth. Encouraging participation in courses related to emotional intelligence fosters a supportive environment. Peer-to-peer learning and regular performance reviews further assist in personal and professional development.

Cultivating a positive work culture is another key aspect. Recognizing positive contributions, promoting inclusivity, and offering flexible work arrangements enhance satisfaction. Team-building activities improve relationships, while a zero-tolerance policy for negativity ensures propriety in conduct. Creating channels for anonymous feedback and focusing on employee engagement are essential for a thriving workplace.

The strategies

⛳️ Strategy 1: Implement clear communication

  • Conduct regular one-on-one meetings to discuss concerns
  • Utilise active listening techniques to understand employee perspectives
  • Set clear performance expectations and goals
  • Provide constructive feedback promptly and regularly
  • Encourage open dialogue about challenges and issues
  • Clarify roles and responsibilities of each team member
  • Develop action plans to address specific disruptive behaviours
  • Reiterate company values and expected conduct
  • Use written communication for clarity and documentation
  • Employ empathy in all interactions

⛳️ Strategy 2: Provide targeted training and development

  • Identify skill gaps and offer relevant training programmes
  • Facilitate workshops on conflict resolution and teamwork
  • Offer personal development resources such as mentoring
  • Encourage participation in leadership and management training
  • Promote courses on emotional intelligence
  • Create peer-to-peer learning opportunities
  • Assess progress regularly through performance reviews
  • Encourage feedback after training sessions
  • Incorporate learning objectives into performance plans
  • Motivate employees to set personal growth targets

⛳️ Strategy 3: Cultivate a positive work culture

  • Recognise and reward positive contributions and behaviours
  • Promote inclusivity and diversity in the workplace
  • Offer flexible work arrangements where possible
  • Increase team-building activities to improve relationships
  • Develop a zero-tolerance policy for negativity and harassment
  • Encourage transparency within the team and organisation
  • Regularly survey employees about job satisfaction and engagement
  • Provide avenues for anonymous feedback to management
  • Focus on creating an engaging and stimulating work environment
  • Empower employees with a sense of ownership over their tasks

Bringing accountability to your strategy

It's one thing to have a plan, it's another to stick to it. We hope that the examples above will help you get started with your own strategy, but we also know that it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day effort.

That's why we built Tability: to help you track your progress, keep your team aligned, and make sure you're always moving in the right direction.

Tability Insights Dashboard

Give it a try and see how it can help you bring accountability to your strategy.

Related OKRs examples

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