Encountering challenging situations with employees is common for managers and directors.

By Sotirios C Ikonomou


Leadership 

Introduction

As a director who mentors and guides his managers, it is common to encounter challenging situations with these employees. However, a particular experience with a senior employee 4 years ago surprised me and gave me a professional alert. The employee in question had made significant progress in his career, and I admired his dedication and enthusiasm for our company's vision. However, his behaviour suddenly turned when he was held accountable for his department's performance. This short article explores the experience, the lessons learned, and the importance of stable behaviour in professional relationships.

The Experience

The senior employee had been making remarkable progress in his career path within the organization, and I often guided and mentored him along the way. However, during one of the most demanding periods at work, I had to be assertive and hold him accountable for the specific unstable performances of his department that occurred multiple times. This action resulted in being disappointed in me as he believed I had lost trust in him and his performance. Hence, the employee turned silently against me and continued behaving as if nothing had happened.

Yet, Instead of speaking with me about his dissatisfaction, he started referring to others, claiming that my behaviour was inappropriate and that I was being too assertive on purpose. 

This sudden behaviour change surprised me; it was not how I had gotten to know him. As his direct manager, it was concerning to see such an abrupt shift in behaviour without any warning signs. The situation escalated when the employee spoke to the company's executive management and claimed that I had stopped supporting him as possible I saw him as a threat.

Lessons Learned

The experience taught me several lessons, the most critical being the importance of stable behaviour in professional relationships. 

  • As a senior director, it is essential to show consistency in behaviour, attitude, and expectations.
  • It is necessary to be assertive but fair, and this is what the employee had been used to until the stressful period at work.
  • Employees should be able to rely on their managers' stable behaviour, just like children rely on their parents' constant protection and support.

Additionally, the experience taught me the importance of communication.

  • It is crucial to maintain open communication with employees, and it should be from both sides.
  • It is better to address any issues or concerns upfront rather than let them fester and result in sudden and unexpected behaviour changes. 
  • I could have addressed his concerns and helped him through the stressful period at work.

Finally, the experience highlighted the importance of self-awareness. 

  • We must be aware of our behaviour and how it may affect our employees. 
  • This self-awareness allows us to maintain stable behaviour and avoid sudden shifts that can negatively impact our professional relationships. 
  • Recognising when we are being too assertive and when we need to dial it back is essential.

Conclusion

The experience with this employee was unexpected but taught me valuable lessons about the importance of stable behaviour in professional relationships. 

As directors, we must create a supportive and stable environment that encourages our employees' growth and development. 

As a mentor, it is essential to maintain consistent behaviour, be assertive but fair, and communicate openly with employees. 

The experience also highlighted the importance of self-awareness in ensuring that our behaviour does not negatively impact our professional relationships.

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