He takes days to
make a decision and then, after it's made, revisits it. Then revisits it
again. Then, when things fall apart and he is held responsible for his
indecision, he becomes indignant or evasive. "It's not MY fault!"
How to cope: Establish a deadline where the decision must be final, and a default decision that will hold true if no decision is made. When the deadline comes, that's it. Refuse to consider any other alternatives.
How to cope: Establish a deadline where the decision must be final, and a default decision that will hold true if no decision is made. When the deadline comes, that's it. Refuse to consider any other alternatives.
No
matter how a situation plays out, no matter who gets hurt in the
process, the ultra-competitor can't let it go until he's convinced that
he's won--and, more importantly, that someone else has lost.
How to cope: Get him focused on having the entire team win, rather than just him. Hint: Pay him a bonus based on team achievement--never on individual accomplishment.
How to cope: Get him focused on having the entire team win, rather than just him. Hint: Pay him a bonus based on team achievement--never on individual accomplishment.
He automatically
turns absolutely everything into a hissy fit, replete with pique,
umbrage, and a host of other French emotions. He seems to draw energy
from the drama, while draining energy from everyone else.
How to cope: Set up boundaries for the behavior that you won't tolerate. Eject him from any meeting where his behavior becomes obstructive.
How to cope: Set up boundaries for the behavior that you won't tolerate. Eject him from any meeting where his behavior becomes obstructive.
He thrives on the
negative attention that comes from dissing authority figures and social
protocols. He misses deadlines just to prove he doesn't have to follow
the rules, and takes up causes without really understanding the
implications of his actions.
How to cope: It's all about aiming him at the right enemy. Oddly, these types often do well as "customer advocates" who can take on the bureaucracy in order to see that customers get what they need.
How to cope: It's all about aiming him at the right enemy. Oddly, these types often do well as "customer advocates" who can take on the bureaucracy in order to see that customers get what they need.
He's always ready
to give you a presentation--and it's usually one you've heard before.
He's got a list of bullet points and is going to read each and every one
to you, or know the reason why!
How to cope: Have an written agenda for every meeting, with a limited amount of time for presentations. Better yet, make a "no PowerPoint" rule for your meetings. Then stick to it.
How to cope: Have an written agenda for every meeting, with a limited amount of time for presentations. Better yet, make a "no PowerPoint" rule for your meetings. Then stick to it.
He is convinced
that it's productive for him to remain online all day "building
relationships" with all your customers. In fact, he's just adding to
the day-to-day blather that's such an integral part of the social
network.
How to cope: Assign him measurable goals--like a certain number of qualified sales leads that he has to create every week.
How to cope: Assign him measurable goals--like a certain number of qualified sales leads that he has to create every week.
He explodes
whenever things don't go the way he thinks they should. He screams at
meetings, yells into the telephone, and gets in your face. While he
might apologize later, the whole team ends up perpetually walking on
eggshells.
How to cope: Raise your own intensity (or you won't be heard), and then refuse to put up with unprofessional behavior. If necessary, leave the room until he's cooled down.
How to cope: Raise your own intensity (or you won't be heard), and then refuse to put up with unprofessional behavior. If necessary, leave the room until he's cooled down.
The Procrastinator
He's
a legend in his own mind ... and makes certain that you know about it.
He's always talking about the amazing stuff he did in the past and his
equally amazing plans for the future. Still, he seldom seems to actually
do anything today.
How to cope: Give some lip service to his greatness, then bring him down to earth by breaking a project into chunks and getting him to "consult" on each chunk.
How to cope: Give some lip service to his greatness, then bring him down to earth by breaking a project into chunks and getting him to "consult" on each chunk.
The Panic Button
