Here’s how to spot the three types of people you manage at work, and what to do with them.

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Okay, so let’s start with the first group.

20% of people are time vampires

Here’s how to spot them.

• They love to hijack meetings for their agenda or monopolize attention.
• They will consistently criticize, bully or intimidate others to dehumanize and build up their own ego.
• When you come across drama, they are a commonly part of it.
• They won’t take personal responsibility for a task not being completed. They’ll consistently take the victim role – it’s someone’s fault. They aren’t accountable.

What to do with time vampires?

I’m assuming you have already tried to reform them. And I assume you were honest with them about what is blocking their performance.

If you have and it didn’t work, then it’s time to be direct and let them go. The rest of your team and your company needs you. Talk to your HR department for your legal options.

60% are in the average group

We’ll come back to them in a moment.

20% are the rock stars

Here’s how to spot them.

• They are self-starters and will take initiative on a new task or skill. They take ownership.
• They have integrity. Meaning they’re words and actions match. They keep their promises. They follow thru to completion.
• They not only do the work, but they deliver results and provide value.
• They’re agile and adaptable. They can work in a team or alone. They’re not turned off by change.
• They stay calm and don’t create drama. Instead, they look for solutions to drama.
• They lead by example and make others better.

What to do with rock stars?

Stretch them to mentor the average 60%. You’ll help them learn or improve their people management skills. And they may help build to another rock star.

I like to end with this quote.

Nothing will kill a great employee faster than watching you tolerate a bad one.

Perry Belcher

Your actions, or non-actions are communicating to your staff what you value.  Don’t reward the wrong people like your underperformers by setting a lower bar.  And having others not take on their share will overwork your average and rock stars.  Talented people love stretch assignments, but don’t overwork them because you can or because you have no one else you can rely on in the team.  Employee burnout is a fast track to killing morale. 

Summary

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