Running a business or practice can be a daily challenge. Everyone else seemingly does it so easily, so why does it sometimes seem like so much hard work? Business owners don’t always have someone they can turn to for answers to daily frustrations, which is why more and more are looking to find a business coach. The most common issues revolve around people, money and time, in particular the lack of it. Here is how I would respond to a common issue…
Our brokerage has four salespeople. Three of us are focused and enjoy what we do. The fourth person – though great when we hired her – is not only not performing, she has a really negative attitude in the office. We have tried to support her by sending her to a motivation coach but it all seems too hard for her. We think there’s potential there, but every day gets worse for her. What can we do?
The very first thing to do is to have a one on one with either her manager, or if there is no designated manager, the person who employed her, to find out what’s really going on. There is clearly a problem and it needs to be uncovered. If you all hired her, your problem could lie in the fact that there don’t seem to be any clear reporting lines and it’s perceived as three against one.
Her negative attitude may stem from something external, but if it’s internal, you all need to get to the bottom of it, and you owe it to her and to yourselves to do this openly and honestly.
You need to look at what was promised when you hired her. Has that come to fruition or is she experiencing disappointment and frustration? Does she have the necessary tools and training, and the capability?
Sending her to a motivation coach is a supportive move however, if the root of the problem is at work, you should be looking there first. Motivation needs a positive platform on which to operate.
If your discussion does not provide constructive answers, and the issue is not solvable within the business, maybe she should be in another role or even another practice.
It’s possible you are using up a lot of energy worrying that this person may leave. If you can’t find a solution, your real worry will be the energy and focus expended by both parties if she stays.