Help - Need Teamwork Proxies

Submitted by Richard Miska
in
Manager Tools Trinity
I have a direct report who has had a long history of not working well with others. Most of the crew has little to no respect for him. He recently came under me and I hope to be the first to address this problem. I am having a hard time coming up with measurable proxies for "getting along with others". Can you please provide some examples of proxies you have used in the past? Perhaps I can wrap these around this person's behaviors and create some new goals for him. Thanks in advance.
Submitted by matt porritt on Thursday February 26th, 2009 12:17 pm

Can you provide some more specifics? Why is he hard to get along with?

Submitted by Sam Baskinger on Thursday February 26th, 2009 12:57 pm

Hi ramiska,

Similar to MaddMatt, can you ID the particular behaviors this special fellow exhibits that start the incidents? You may have to spend some time observing him to develop metrics (3 objections by peers results in a raised voice or a demeaning comment).

Another dynamic to consider is that other team members may be perpetuating the situation by showing no respect. Something to keep an eye out for. :)

Sam

Submitted by Asterisk RNTT on Thursday February 26th, 2009 3:42 pm

You don't have to measure his getting along with others

You measure his deliverables, number of arguments, stonewalling, insults etc. Things that are obvious and observables.

*RNTT

Submitted by Richard Miska on Saturday February 28th, 2009 7:24 pm

Thanks, all for your input.

The biggest offense is defensiveness. Whenever an error may occur, most members of the crew will immediately confess in order to expedite a resolution. We have done very well at grooming the culture where one-of situations do not end with disciplinary actions and speedy recovery is praised. This person is hesitant to confess an error and this may cause situations to worsen. The problem is that due to the nature of the work, it is very difficult to prove who was doing what when. There are suspicions of sneaky behavior, making others err in order to look better by comparison but, again, nothing that has been witnessed.

Beyond that, it's mostly what I would describe as socially awkward behavior which indirectly affects the environment: Loud noises, non sequiturs(not intended for comedy), body language, etc.

I think you're right on with observation to develop metrics. I'll have to spend more time on that front.