Supervising Difficult Feedback and Challenging Conversations with Problematic Employees

Training Background :

Supervising a difficult feedback session with a challenging or toxic employee can escalate the situation if not managed properly. For any employer, getting such employees to cooperate while delivering tough feedback or navigating a difficult conversation is a daunting task. Research shows that it's common for these employees to view suggestions negatively and dismiss the feedback if the process isn’t handled with care. These conversations often trigger negative reactions such as blame, excuses, and complaints, leading to unproductive work behavior. This lack of productivity can cost organizations significant time, money, and lead to frustration and stress. Communication frequently breaks down when managers need to deliver tough news, whether related to poor performance, organizational changes, team conflicts, or other workplace issues. Many employees come to the workplace with unresolved anger, substance abuse, mental health challenges, or personal issues that spill over into their work. This session aims to offer practical strategies for communicating with difficult employees, managing feedback, and addressing challenging situations effectively.      

Training Agenda :

• Understanding why "constructive criticism" isn't constructive.
• Critical mistakes made by managers/supervisors while giving feedback.
• Importance of gaining employee cooperation instead of demanding employee compliance
• Must have skills to give feedback to gain employee cooperation instead of defensiveness.
• Skill to resolve defensiveness, other negative reactions, and issues
• Skill to give positive feedback believably and effectively.
• Comprehending how and why communication breaks down
• Valuable insights on dealing with defensive communication and behavior
• How to keep your own emotions in check
• Managing and staying in control during the conversation
• Know when to soften the blow and when to lower the boom
• Tips on staying safe with a volatile person
• Handle someone who cries and who won't participate
• FAQs 

In addition to the presentation materials, attendees will also receive a 30+ page training course manual titled - Managing Difficult Employees to Avoid Unproductive Behavior. This course manual explores the impact of challenging employees on productivity, identifies the root causes of their behavior, and provides strategies for addressing these issues. It also covers how to recognize problem employees, which effective communication techniques to use for tough conversations, and conflict resolution approaches. The book also delves into coaching and development to turn around difficult employees, managing toxic behaviors when corrective action is necessary, and fostering a positive workplace culture that minimizes unproductive behaviors and promotes collaboration and accountability.

About The Trainer : Joe Aitchison is HRComTraK Managing Principal and Senior Client Advisor. He provides Business & HR client advisory services and HR out-source services nationally.  He is a Human Resource professional with thirty years business management and HR consulting experience.  In addition to working with General Industry clients, he provides services to  multi plant International Tier I Automotive Manufacturing, Hospitality & Gaming, Retail and Food Processing Industries as well as legal, health care, benefit brokers and third party administrators. Mr. Aitchison is recognized as a leader in human resources and has obtained a lifetime certification as a senior professional in human resource management, SHRM – Senior Certified Professional and Healthcare Reform Specialist by the Healthcare Reform Center & Policy Institute. Mr. Aitchison has served on several for profit and not for profit boards.