Every team has one person who just doesn’t get it.  What do you do?  I offer you three steps to get where you need to be.  First, recognize that we all are “that guy” sometimes.  Then get to the root of the problem and create a solution.  The final step is to follow-up on your created solution.

By recognizing we aren’t perfect is a huge step.  All of us have been the slow person on the team at one point.  If you haven’t been, then your leaders aren’t challenging you by placing you in areas outside your comfort zone.  This will stunt your growth.  Seek more challenging assignments.

The second step is to get to the root of the problem.  Tom Lemon was a huge mentor in my life.  He always used to tell me, “Either you don’t know or you don’t care.”  Determine if there is a lack of ability or simple laziness.  Once you know the root of the issue, create a solution that will fit the situation.  Sometimes people just don’t know what they are doing.  In this situation, offer training.

If they know and just do not care, then provide them with corrective training.  This can be anything from simple verbal corrections to the possibility of a firing or removal from the team.  Just make sure the penalty is appropriate.  Don’t feel badly if you need to get rid of a lazy person or to be strict with them, you’ll only hurt the team by ignoring the problem.

Now, you know the cause and created a solution.  It is your opportunity to use the powerful tool of follow-up.  Check on the progress that is made and if there is none, start over.  Do this immediately after creating the solution.  If you wait too long, the problem will worsen.  If the problem is fixed, give praise for the efforts and move on.

This process allows you to fix the problems and help the team members grow.  When your leaders see you allow people to lag, they associate you with their efforts.  By using this simple three-step process you can move your team forward and ultimately allow yourself to move up to another level!

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