How to deal with difficult employees

Section 1 : Identifying the issue

The first step in managing a difficult employee is identifying the specific problem. This often involves observing patterns of behaviour and listening to both the employee and their colleagues. Is the employee disengaged, frequently missing deadlines, or causing friction within the team? Pinpointing the problem allows you to address it directly rather than making assumptions.

For example, an employee who constantly misses deadlines may not be deliberately difficult, but instead struggling with time management or workload issues. Recognising this can help you offer practical solutions such as better delegation or clearer timelines, which can help improve performance.

Avoid jumping to conclusions, as the surface-level behaviour may not tell the whole story. Open communication, such as asking for their perspective, can reveal factors that might not be immediately obvious but are essential to solving the issue.