Performance Issue
Manager
Firm
Confronting an employee about their attitude
A report is technically strong but their tone is damaging the team.
Strategy
Attitude is not coachable. Behavior is. Convert every impression into a specific observable moment, then state the standard as non-negotiable.
I need to talk about how you are showing up, not what you are producing. In Monday's standup you cut Priya off twice and said her estimate was a joke. Two people mentioned it to me after. The work is strong. This part is not optional. I need you to let people finish and challenge the idea, not the person.
If they push back
If they say people are too sensitive: "Maybe. My standard does not move based on that. In this room, you challenge the estimate, not the estimator."
What not to say
- You have a bad attitude
- Everyone is complaining about you
- You need to be nicer
- I do not know what to do with you
Follow-up
Thanks for taking it seriously. Concretely: no interrupting in standup, and challenge the work not the person. Let us look at how it went in two weeks.