051: The Hidden Causes of Disruption: Uncovering What’s Really Behind Disruptive Behaviors

Playing In The Sandbox

This month, we’re celebrating our second anniversary with the Playing In The Sandbox podcast.

Since the podcast has been running for a while, I plan to make some changes. Be on the lookout for this!

This is causing a bit of interruption for me and my team.

Due to this disruption, I’m sharing advice on this common workplace challenge. Grab your pen and paper, and learn how to handle an uncooperative employee.

1. You have a hard worker who gets everything done, but they always seem to be so angry. The way they talk to their coworkers and their constant frustration in customer interactions makes you look at them kind of differently. Often, these can be signs that they have trouble outside of work. The best way to handle this is to become an empathetic leader who takes the time to listen to their problems. Your employee may just need someone to care enough to hear what’s going on in their life.

2. Speaking of a listening ear and feeling valued, another reason for disruption within the workplace is that the employee may feel as though the company doesn’t care about them. Often, when workers feel that an organization isn’t listening to their problems or concerns, it can make them feel unappreciated and cause them to care less about their work ethic.

3. Having unclear expectations and roles can create disruption within the workplace. When employees are unsure of what’s expected from them, they may ask the wrong person, when it should come from you. This can cause them to become frustrated with their job role. Setting expectations and defining their roles helps prevent feelings of uncertainty and keeps employees engaged and productive.

4. When employees become disruptive, remember they’re not doing it to cause problems or get under your skin. They are doing it because they are unsure of how to communicate the problem they’re having within the organization. Hold twenty-minute meetings with your team and let them lead the conversation. This allows them to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings, and problems with you.

5. Why is recognition so important? When you show your employees that you’re proud of their work, it creates a good feeling inside them. It’s like, "Hey, my boss actually took the time to tell me they liked my work." It also lets them know they are fulfilling their duties within their job role. When leaders take the time to show their team members that they’re appreciated for their efforts, it helps them stay motivated and engaged with their work.

Go to https://www.tammyjbond.com/podcast to change your mindset and behaviors so you can elevate your communication and leadership! We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Amazon Podcast, or Spotify and subscribe to our YouTube channel. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios.