4 Tips in Managing People Who Don't Like You

by Lynda Moultry Belcher, Demand Media

Managing employees dictates a thick skin and an ability to work with an array of personality types. Sometime you may run across an employee who doesn't like you but you have to manage him anyway.

This scenario can make it challenging for you to do your job, but as a manager, you must be able to overcome differences in personalities and working styles to get the job done.

Step 1

Schedule a conference with the problem employee(s). Be straightforward and ask whether there is an issue that you need to be aware of that has developed into a personal dislike of you. Explain how the tension has affected you working relationship and ask what you can do to smooth things over. As the managerial professional, you are expected to be the bigger person and take the initiative to resolve tension between yourself and another employee.

Step 2

Refocus on the work and not your personal relationships with employees. In the end, employees are not required to like you. But they are required to get past their personal feelings and get the job done every day, even if that means interacting with you. Remind your staff that you have a product or service to deliver each day and that personal feelings aside, everyone is expected to behave in a professional manner.

Step 3

Communicate with the employee effectively. Sometimes, miscommunication is the reason behind conflicts in the workplace. To avoid poor communication with employees, clarify what was said whenever you are talking with someone. Repeat it back to the person and if you are misinformed, she can clarify at that time. This avoids miscommunication that can lead to bad feelings and conflict between yourself and your staff.

Step 4

Accept the situation for what it is. Perhaps there is nothing you can do to make your employees like you or your management style rubs them the wrong way. It's fine to re-evaluate the way in which you manage but in the end don't make the mistake of overcompensating to make employees like you more. It's fine to accept the situation for what it is and make sure that everyone is doing his job properly.

Quick Tip:

If your company has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), remind everyone about it. What you might perceive as dislike might just be an employee who is dealing with a personal issue and is taking it out on people at work. A reminder of EAP might get a problem employee the help he needs.

References

About the Author

Lynda Moultry Belcher is a writer, editor and public relations professional. She worked for a daily newspaper for 10 years and has been a freelance writer for more than 15 years. She has contributed to Divorce360 and Revolution Health Group, among other publications. She is also the author of "101 Plus-Size Women's Clothing Tips" and writes "Style At Any Size," a bi-weekly newspaper column.

Source: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/manage-employees-dont-like-18868.html