Leadership Falling Out of Love with Staff

When you first started working with your staff, you were confident in your choices.  It appeared like everyone got along and work was getting done, but in time things changed.  You noticed that one tends to be argumentative, another has a troubled personal life that trickles into the work place periodically, and others make up their own hours and do personal business on company time.

Your love for the staff you brought on board has faded away.  You tried to excuse their behaviors while suppressing your thoughts about them.  You talked with each about their weaknesses and strengths, but your meetings only caused more tension.  You even felt guilty at times for how you felt, the tone of voice when you explained things, and made up for your actions or inactions on matters by gifting your staff.  Yet, despite everything you have done, you wish your staff to be different.

It happens; leaders everywhere experience great frustration with staff.  They do almost everything to motivate their workers to do better at the workplace.  However, when bridges have been burned, negative attitudes appear to be going nowhere, and anger between staff members steadily rises, it is time to do what many leaders hate, put seeds in their heads about going elsewhere before one has to terminate each.

From mentioning other places to work in casual conversation to systematically leaving certain staff out of projects, some leaders know how to gradually end their loveless relationships with employees.  You might have to any one of the following things to better workplace relationships or end them altogether.

1. Express how you feel to each staff member about his or her actions or inactions at the workplace.
2. Let your staff know that you will be making changes in the near future if they should not do any better.
3. Outline what it is you expect from them and follow up.
4. Set a timeline on when you need to get things done.
5. Don’t hesitate to reprimand the most troubled of the group in front of others when he or she is being argumentative.
6. Show appreciation when you observe staff making changes.

Oftentimes there are no easy solutions when a staff has gotten away with so much over a long period of time.  Some may have established connections that might reverse the tables so that it makes you look like you are the bad guy or gal for your criticism.  Re-evaluate how you manage your staff, be sure to have others at the workplace or those in waiting in the background who know the positions of those you plan to terminate.

In time, the love for your employees will return, but not in the same way that it once was.  You will find yourself wiser, more observant, less emotional or connected to them having gone through this experience.

Nicholl McGuire