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How does one work with a difficult employees/team members ( as a manager)


Imagine a large IT company in a third world country which takes on project work for American/ Eurpoean clients.The project life cycle is 4 months.The team of 5 including project manager ( 2 entry level,1 with 3 years   experience ,1 with 7 years  experience).

Emotional and skill profile of the people on team:

Entry level person 1-Lacks knowledge and barely managed to clear college
Entry level person 2-Has knowledge but does not know how to implement it.Lacks confidence and interpersonal skills
3 years experience-Has knowledge and speed but won’t really help entry level folks.Is insecure and self-focused.
7 years experience-Has knowledge and is a seasoned coder.Is looking for a new job, is bored from the lack of appreciation by project manager.Has no motivation to work but takes credit for other people’s work.Likes getting his backside kissed.Feels he is better than the project manager.Instigates juniors to believe the same due to which they launch non co-operation drives against the project manager.

The team appears united on the outside but each is serving his/her selfish agenda .

How then does the project manager deliver with such people on his team?The following are ways for it.

  • Understand the mindset of each employee
  • Soothe their fears and give them that they’re looking for-importance,appreciation,so on
  • Show he believes in them by giving them responsibility and hand-holding while they develop ( the entry level ones)
  • Focus on the strengths of each
  • Personally get involved in all stages of project and be willing to do even basic kind of work-shows humility and elicits respect
  • Cut out the negativity -By focusing on positives of the team, providing pep talk .This pushes gossip,non-co operation,insecurity under carpet .
  • Manifest an environment of growth-By conducting mini training sessions on the job and positively appreciating the team whenever they have learnt new things and delivered
  • Lead by example-By being proactive,high-energy and driven yet approachable, refusing to indulge in gossip/playing favorites, being didactic ,fair and  friendly yet having firm boundaries.Employees emulate strength when they see it.



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