batemanager's picture Submitted by batemanager on
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Management and Leadership

I am a manager of managers (I believe you might call me a director). How do I change the attitude of a direct report? I have a direct that is technically sound however her attitude toward me is negative. Her behaviour is confrontational and she appears not to be aware that I am in fact her boss. The negativity is affecting me and the wider management team. What can I do?

smorison's picture
Submitted by smorison on Tuesday October 25th, 2011 4:04 am

Hi,

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Jrlz's picture
Submitted by Jrlz on Wednesday October 26th, 2011 7:52 am

 

Hello,
Don’t really have the full context here, but my suggestion is to provide feedback.  Listen to the podcasts on Feedback.  You want to provide feedback on behavior.   You cannot change her attitude, only she can do that. You can provide feedback on behavior intended to change the behavior and perhaps the attitude will follow. What behavior is this person exhibiting that results in you seeing their attitude is negative. If you just confront them with “you have a negative attitude” you are not likely to get anywhere. You need to provide feedback on the specific behaviors. There is also a podcast on managing a disgruntled non-promoted direct, I would listen to that one as well. Also, are you doing one on ones? If not, you should. Role power will only get you so far, you need to have relationship power with this person if you want to make a lasting difference.

LFinkle's picture
Submitted by LFinkle on Wednesday October 26th, 2011 12:38 pm

There are so many questions I have before I could provide a great response.  Has she been a manager for long?  Has she always worked for you? Does she need management training with employees or is the challenge you are facing just with you?  How does she interact with her peers? What types of behavior does she display that makes you feel she is confrontational?  What would you like differently about her behavior? What is the impact of this behavior on you and the wider management team?

 

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