It’s like football, tackling is part of the game. In the same way challenging team members is part of being a manager. In a game of football there are a lot of tackles mostly they are fair tackles but that doesn’t stop some players complaining. So being complained about is not the problem , the problem is a clumsy , badly executed or ill- intentioned challenge.
Continuing the footballing analogy some times you come across a weak referee, they are inconsistent, some times ignoring fouls, sometimes coming down severely on those who commit offences. Some times they interpret the rules rigidly, sometimes they let things go unchallenged. The plays hate the inconsistency, they react badly to decisions that go against them. Before long the referee has lost the plays respect and control of the match. In these situations the referee is prone to over reacting and starts issuing formal warnings and even final warnings inappropriately.
It’s much the same with managers, it’s important to be consistent. Poor performance or inappropriate behaviour should always be challenged no matter if the individual is new to the team or very experienced, is frequently a cause of concern or is normally a model employee. However the challenge needs to be proportionate and appropriate. If the issue is about the standard of work then don’t avoid this and instead tackle them about slack time keeping because this is easier to substantiate. And then find yourself the subject of a grievance because you have failed to tackle slack time keeping by other team members. Small misdemeanours may be most appropriately dealt with by a quiet word in private, but not ignored. Serious misconduct needs to be formerly deal with through the disciplinary process. Concerns about standard of work need to be documented such that their is a record of drawing the concerns to the attention of the employee, making clear your expectations, giving time and opportunity for improvement and if appropriate providing additional training.
Back to the football analogy the referee will have a word with a player who commits a foul saying that it’s unacceptable and if repeated the player will receive a formal warning or yellow card. If a player commits a series of minor infringements non of which in themselves would warrant a yellow card the referee will show a yellow card for persistent infringements of the rules. At any time, whether in the first minute or last minute of the game, a serious foul will result in a red card.
The best referees tend to give out fewer cards, the poorest referees either give out lots of cards or non at all!
Blair Mcpherson former Director author and blogger www.blairmcpherson.co.uk
