Speaker 1: Helping leaders motivate their people to a higher level of
Speaker 1: performance through strong human relations, team building, and goalagiving. This
Speaker 1: is the seven Minute Leadership Podcast with your host Paul
Speaker 1: fella Aledo.
Speaker 2: Hello everyone, and welcome to the Seven Minute Leadership Podcast,
Speaker 2: Episode two thirty two, and today we're talking about a
Speaker 2: frustrating and all too common challenge, the talented, skilled employee,
Speaker 2: or even worse, the leader who undermines their own potential
Speaker 2: through immaturity and toxic behavior. So first, we have to
Speaker 2: talk about the double edged sword of talent, and we've
Speaker 2: all encountered someone like this in the workplace. Their talent
Speaker 2: is undeniable, their skills are unmatched. On paper, they should
Speaker 2: be a super star, but their attitude, immaturity, and inability
Speaker 2: to collaborate create an atmosphere of frustration and dysfunction. And
Speaker 2: what makes the situation particularly difficult is the wasted potential.
Speaker 2: As leaders, we see what could be, but we're faced
Speaker 2: with the reality of what is. And when this individual
Speaker 2: is in a leadership position, their behavior doesn't just affect
Speaker 2: their own performance, it ripples through the entire team, poisoning
Speaker 2: morale and stifling productivity. Next, we have to talk about
Speaker 2: identifying the root cause before taking action, It's important to
Speaker 2: understand why this person is behaving the way they are.
Speaker 2: Immaturity often stems from a lack of emotional intelligence. Toxic behavior,
Speaker 2: on the other hand, can be a result of insecurity,
Speaker 2: unresolved personal issues, or even an inflated ego. And while
Speaker 2: these factors don't extxkews the behavior, they do provide a
Speaker 2: lens through which we can approach the problem. So the
Speaker 2: steps to address the issue. Number one have a direct conversation,
Speaker 2: don't beat around the bush. Schedule a one on one meeting,
Speaker 2: and clearly outline the behavior you're observing. Use specific examples,
Speaker 2: and explain the impact their actions are having on the
Speaker 2: team in the organization. And number two offers support and development.
Speaker 2: Because sometimes toxic or immature behavior stems from a lack
Speaker 2: of self awareness, offer resources like coaching, mentorship, or professional
Speaker 2: development to help them build the emotional intelligence that they
Speaker 2: need to thrive, and set boundaries and expectations. Be clear
Speaker 2: about what is and isn't acceptable. If they're a leader,
Speaker 2: their behavior must align with the organization's values. Create a
Speaker 2: performance improvement plan if necessary, and hold them accountable for
Speaker 2: their progress and monitor their progress us closely. Change takes time,
Speaker 2: but there should be measurable improvements. If the individual makes
Speaker 2: genuine efforts to grow, celebrate their progress, and if they don't,
Speaker 2: be prepared to escalate the situation and what happens when
Speaker 2: the leader won't change. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the
Speaker 2: individual refuses to grow. If their toxic behavior persists and
Speaker 2: they're in a leadership position, you must prioritize the health
Speaker 2: of your team over the individual. This could mean removing
Speaker 2: them from their role or in extreme cases, letting them
Speaker 2: go entirely. Remember it's not easy to make this call,
Speaker 2: but toxic leaders are a liability to your culture and
Speaker 2: can cause long term damage to your organization. As leaders,
Speaker 2: it's tempting to focus on the frustration of wasted talent,
Speaker 2: but frustration won't solve the problem. Action will steps to
Speaker 2: address the issues head on, Offer resources and support, but
Speaker 2: always prioritize the well being of your team and the
Speaker 2: culture of your organization. Leadership isn't just about recognizing potential.
Speaker 2: It's about creating an environment where that potential can thrive,
Speaker 2: and sometimes that means removing barriers, even when the barrier
Speaker 2: is a talented but toxic individual. This has been the
Speaker 2: seven Minute Leadership Podcast, and I thank you for listening.
Speaker 1: For more Paul fell of Alito podcasts, visit paulfellowalito dot
Speaker 1: com