From time to time, management is faced with a top employee who is not performing at their usual level. The usual procedures include speaking to the employee, recommending they use the company’s Employee Assistance Program, documenting unacceptable behavior, and finally termination.
However, there are times when a good employee has to be led to give you their best during their time of personal crisis. Here are some ways to guide yourself as you demonstrate exemplary leadership.
Self-confidence
There is usually some residual trigger from early life experiences that makes us want to avoid conflict or exacerbate it. Or we want to stubbornly dig in our heels and not budge on an issue. However, as a professional, you will need to call on all of the self-confidence that you have in order to handle an employee who is going through a challenging moment. Trust in yourself and you will find that you have the skills you need to handle the situation.
There’s a difference between self-confidence and being stubborn
Impartiality
If you find that your employee is not meeting deadlines, avoid taking things personally by learning to be impartial. Staying calm and speaking to the employee and letting him know that you have observed that he seems to be going through a challenging time may allow him to realize that his behavior is noticeably outside the norm.
Trust
Trust comes from your employee experiencing how much he can rely on your ability keep your word and your commitment to him. By being reliable in even the smallest ways, such as maintaining confidentiality and open lines of communication.
Empathy
Put yourself in the employee’s shoes for just a moment and understand the doubts or insecurities he may be experiencing. He may be going through trials that he is not willing to divulge to you or possibly to anyone else. By managing yourself and committing to providing exemplary leadership, you can possibly help your employee to think and act in the right direction again. Your investment in your best employees may not be easily accounted for on your balance sheet, but maintaining a stable pool of talent in your company will definitely impact your bottom line in a positive way.