Here is another valuable Management Tip of the Day from Harvard Business Review. To sign up for a free subscription to any/all HBR newsletters, please click here.

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If your employee is irritating fellow colleagues, don’t let the behavior go.

o Start by making your intentions clear — say something like, “I’m always looking for ways to help you grow, and I have some thoughts. When is a good time to talk?”

o During the discussion, focus on the facts. What exactly is the employee doing, and how is it getting in the way of their success? For instance, if your employee constantly interrupts others, you might say, “In the meeting last Tuesday, you spoke over the end of three people’s sentences.”

o Then talk about the impact: “I couldn’t hear what they were going to say, which matters to me because everyone needs to feel heard.” Don’t insinuate that the behavior is malicious, or even intentional.

Your employee should feel that you’re an ally in helping them grow. Once they’re aware of the behavior, they can begin to change it.

Adapted from “How to Help an Employee Who Rubs People the Wrong Way,” by Rebecca Knight

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