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When an employee who used to be reliable starts missing deadlines, pushing back on feedback or creating tension on your team, it's easy to assume they've become a difficult employee. But what if there's something happening that you haven't uncovered yet?
Knowing how to deal with difficult employees starts with understanding what's actually going wrong, rather than reacting out of frustration.
In this episode, I'm sharing a situation where a founder was struggling with a previously strong employee whose performance had started slipping. What initially looked like an attitude problem turned out to be something much more complicated.
We'll explore how to prepare for difficult conversations with employees, why defensiveness doesn't automatically mean someone refuses to take responsibility, and how to balance empathy with holding employees accountable.
I'll also walk you through the feedback framework I use with clients to address employee performance issues, clarify expectations and create a practical path forward.
Because knowing how to deal with difficult employees doesn't mean avoiding uncomfortable conversations or lowering your standards. It means developing the leadership skills to listen, understand what's happening and make informed decisions about what comes next.
And sometimes, even after you've provided support and a fair opportunity to improve, things still don't change. We'll talk about that reality too, and why effective team management strategies require both compassion and accountability.
If you're wondering how to deal with difficult employees on your own team, I hope this conversation helps you approach the situation with more clarity and confidence.
Keep listening: If difficult conversations are something you've been putting off, listen to my earlier episode, Avoiding Difficult Conversations With Employees? Here's What It's Costing You
You can also download my free Feedback Model from the High Voltage Resource Library to help prepare for your next conversation.
And if you'd like help navigating a challenging employee situation, my two-hour Deep Dive sessions give us time to understand what's happening and develop a practical plan together.
Book your Deep Dive: https://highvoltageleadership.ca/consulting/
Learning how to deal with difficult employees isn't about having all the answers. It's about approaching difficult situations with clarity, fairness and care.
The People Side of Business is the podcast for female founders and business owners who are leading teams and growing businesses.
Hosted by Lindsay White, Leadership Coach, Team Leadership Strategist, and Fractional HR Expert, this show delivers practical leadership strategies, real-world people solutions, and honest conversations about the challenges of leading a team.
From employee performance issues and difficult conversations to hiring, accountability, workplace culture, and team growth, each episode is designed to help you lead, manage, and scale your team as a founder.
If you're ready to become a more confident leader, make better people decisions, and build a stronger, higher-performing team, you're in the right place.
Learn more at highvoltageleadership.ca, connect on Instagram @highvoltleadership, or find Lindsay White on LinkedIn.
The people side of business isn't separate from growth. The people side of business is the business.
More Episodes
When an employee who used to be reliable starts missing deadlines, pushing back on feedback or creating tension on your team, it's easy to assume they've become a difficult employee. But what if there's something happening that you haven't uncovered yet?
In this episode, I'm sharing a situation where a founder was struggling with a previously strong employee whose performance had started slipping. What initially looked like an attitude problem turned out to be something much more complicated.
One of the most important hiring tips for small businesses is understanding that you can hire a fantastic person and still make the wrong hiring decision.
Maybe they came highly recommended. They have an impressive resume, years of experience, and everyone on your team likes them. But a few weeks into the role, things aren't going quite the way you expected.
That's exactly what happened to a founder I worked with named Angela.
In this episode, I'm sharing what happened, the hiring mistakes we uncovered, and why finding the right person isn't always the same as hiring for what your business actually needs.
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