How Managers Can Confront and Stop Unacceptable Employee Behavior

Duration: 60 minutes

Every manager encounters employees who cross the line into unacceptable behavior. Maybe they tell off-color jokes. Spread gossip. Act like slobs. Practice poor personal hygiene. Ridicule core organizational values. Or violate company rules and policies.

The easiest way to deal with inappropriate behavior is to ignore it. Lots of managers don’t have the toolkit to confront dysfunctional employees so they practice avoidance, which erodes morale and – worst of all – destroys their own credibility. Nothing seems more pathetic to motivated, high-performing members of a team than working for a boss who tolerates bad behavior.

Nor is the answer to simply tell bad actors to “cut it out.” Even the most mediocre boss can do that. Great managers recognize that putting a stop to unacceptable behavior requires a complex mix of communication skills, persuasion, intuition, toughness and credibility. They know how to probe for the reasons behind the behavior, anticipate reactions, manage expectations, seek alignment, set boundaries and hold people accountable. When bosses learn how to confront employees effectively, they create a culture where lines are clearly drawn and bad behavior is instantly recognized by all as unacceptable.