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The Daily Insight

How do new managers deal with difficult employees?

Author

Emma Jordan

Published Mar 14, 2026

Be clear and direct in explaining why the employee’s behavior is inappropriate. Critiquing an employee’s behavior can be stressful for new managers. As a manager, you must be clear and direct in explaining to difficult employees why their behavior is inappropriate and how you expect it to change.

What do you say to a difficult employee?

Do: Talk to the person to try to understand what’s causing the behavior. Give concrete, specific feedback and offer the opportunity to change. Look for ways to minimize interactions between the toxic employee and the rest of your team.

What managers should not say to employees?

6 things a manager should never say to an employee

  • “I don’t pay you so I can do your job” or “Can’t you just figure this out?”
  • “You’re lucky you work here” or “You’re lucky to have this job”
  • “We already tried that” or “This is how we’ve always done it”
  • “No”
  • “I’ll take that under consideration”

How do you handle employees who think they are the boss?

Ways to Manage the Employee Who Thinks They Should Run the Place

  1. Talk to the employee in private. Make it clear that you’re aware that she isn’t entirely on board with what you’re doing and ask what’s going on.
  2. Extend a helping and helpful hand.
  3. Watch your language.
  4. Remember: Employees, like you, are people too.

What are the signs of a toxic employee?

Recognizing the Symptoms of a Toxic Employee

  • A general negative attitude: Unhappy employees exude negativity, and many times you can’t correct the situation to make them happy.
  • Unwillingness to take responsibility: This often reveals itself in backstabbing and blaming others.
  • Gossip.
  • Sabotage and insubordination.

How do you tell an employee to improve their attitude?

Encourage an attitude adjustment

  1. Ensure feedback is specific – Don’t just tell the employee their behavior needs to improve.
  2. Provide examples of bad behavior – One way to make feedback specific is to highlight past examples of the employee’s poor attitude.

What is the most difficult interview question to answer?

The most difficult interview questions (and answers)

  • What is your greatest weakness? Strengths-and-weaknesses interview questions are a given.
  • Why should we hire you?
  • What’s something that you didn’t like about your last job?
  • Why do you want this job?
  • How do you deal with conflict with a co-worker?

    What managers should never do?

    10 Things Managers Should Never Do

    • 10 Things Managers Should Never Do.
    • Order people around like dictators.
    • Forget about customers.
    • Behave like arrogant jerks that are better than others.
    • Let their egos write checks that reality can’t cash.
    • Publicly eviscerate employees.
    • Wall off their feelings.

    What is toxic behavior in the workplace?

    Toxic workplace behavior is any kind of behavior exhibited by an employee or the management that negatively impacts the work culture. It includes activities like workplace bullying, mistreatment, gossiping, incivility, and regularly missing work.

    How do you fix employee attitude problems?

    Confront Your Trouble Employee Tactfully

    1. Stay calm: Park your own frustration at the door.
    2. Avoid attitude: Don’t describe the employee’s issue as an attitude problem.
    3. Provide resources: Refer them to resources that can coax them out of a negative pattern of behavior.

    How do you fix attitude problems in the workplace?

    Other Tips for Handling an Employee with Bad Attitude:

    1. Have a good relationship with every staff member:
    2. Don’t ever over express yourself:
    3. Don’t keep things emotional at all:
    4. Never become too arrogant:
    5. Never provide anyone with universal awards:
    6. Listen to the problem carefully:
    7. Give them proper feedback: