All it takes is one disgruntled staffer to wreak havoc on the entire department. So managers need to know what to do (and what not to do) when an employee’s negativity becomes more than a minor hassle.
Here are some ways to handle negative employees’ problem behaviors:
1. Don’t let their gripes take up too much of time. The more attention you give to disgruntled workers’ complaints, the more empowered they’ll feel. Respond — but don’t spend too much time on the problem.
2. Avoid losing your cool. When it comes to dealing with disgruntled staffers, it’s important to stay professional and in control at all times. Failing to do so can hurt your credibility.
3. Quash rumors early. It’s one thing to complain, but it’s another thing altogether to spread outright lies. If you catch wind of any damaging rumors being spread, you need to respond ASAP. Make it a point to let other employees know what’s really going on.
For more detailed info on dealing with the disgruntled, check out Rosabeth Moss Kanter’s article, which can be found here.
