How to Help an Employee Who Rubs People the Wrong Way

Giving someone serious performance or behavioral feedback can be tough, particularly if the feedback is about an employee’s personal style. Often, the colleague on the receiving end becomes defensive– unless you handle the conversation with delicacy and grace. But how do you do this? Start by signaling your good intentions. Stick to the facts. State neutral observations of your employee’s actions and then describe the impact of their behavior and why you believe it’s problematic. After you’ve said your piece, ask your employee for their perspective. And finally, engage in joint problem solving. You’re more likely to see a shift in behavior if your employee feels like they’ve had an opportunity to help come up with a solution.