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Roger Kay Allen, Ph.D. and Steve Churchill

Many leaders, managers, and supervisors do a poor job of giving feedback or confronting problem performance or behavior. Doing so is challenging and it often seems easier to ignore or side-step sensitive issues hoping they’ll go away. Unfortunately they don’t. Problems fester and the difficult people who fail to meet expectations become a toxic influence on their coworkers and drag down the morale or performance of the majority. 

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Many leaders, managers, and supervisors do a poor job of giving feedback or confronting problem performance or behavior. Doing so is challenging and it often seems easier to ignore or side-step sensitive issues hoping they’ll go away. Unfortunately they don’t. Problems fester and the difficult people who fail to meet expectations become a toxic influence on their coworkers and drag down the morale or performance of the majority. 

Therefore, developing the confidence and ability to have difficult conversations and offer honest feedback to poor performing people is a necessary skill for any leader, supervisor or manager and a necessary ingredient for building a great organization.

The purpose of this course is to teach you how. You'll learn how to set and communicate your expectations and then hold people accountable.  You'll also learn a proven, 7-step strategy for giving feedback to difficult or non-compliant people. I'll illustrate these concepts with multiple case studies and scenarios that will help you learn and apply these strategies to your current relationships with your employees.

By watching this course on how to give feedback, you will be able to:

  • Build trust and goodwill

  • Create a climate which brings out the best in people

  • Learn best practices in managing people

  • Clarify "non-negotiables" in three critical areas

  • Set clear performance expectations for individual employees

  • Confront and give feedback to poor performing people

  • Gain support from other leaders

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Set and communicate clear expectations for your employees
  • Confidently confront poor performance and non-compliant behavior
  • Create a climate that brings out the best in your people
  • Improve the performance and morale of your organization
  • Know how to gain support from other leaders
  • Understand the steps in progressive discipline

Syllabus

Introduction to Performance Management
Introduction

I'm offering you all course handouts in a bundle at the beginning of the course. You can print them and have them available as you go through the course as well as for your reference after you complete the course.

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This is a sheet with the seven steps which you can print and carry with you to review as you’re preparing to confront someone. There is also a worksheet you can print out (you will probably want a few copies) to help structure your conversations with your employees.

This guide contains a summary of the guidelines, the important points to remember, when using the confronting skill. Print them if you like so you can refer to them often. 

Thank you for completing my course, How to Confront Difficult Employees!

I love that you made it to the end of the program. This shows your commitment to improving your relationships and making them the best they can be. 

If you liked this program then I want to let you know about other personal development resources I offer.

Visit my web page at www.rogerkallen.com where you can find other products, articles and blog posts on  relationships, communication, leadership and many other topics of personal development.

I also have a number of courses on Udemy which you can find on my instructor page. 

And, as a special benefit to my students, I'm offering you the best possible price for each of my courses. Click on the following titles to get the lowest price that I can offer you for the following courses:

Parenting Skills to Raise Responsible, Mature Children

Becoming a Master at Resolving Conflict at Home or Work

The Power of Deep Listening

Claiming Your Power to Live a Happy and Abundant Life

How to Confront Difficult Employees

You can also follow me on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbTRRPLAshzRnn-WWPWpONQ?view_as=subscriber

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rogerkallenauthor/

Linked-In:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrogerallen/

or Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Roger_Allen

My best to you and I hope we stay in touch.

Respectfully,

Roger K. Allen, Ph.D.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches a seven-step strategy for giving feedback, which provides a structured approach for addressing performance issues and improving communication
Explores progressive discipline, which is a crucial aspect of performance management and legal compliance in human resources
Uses case studies and scenarios, which allows learners to apply the strategies to real-world situations and improve their practical skills
Includes printable handouts and worksheets, which can be used as reference materials and tools for structuring conversations with employees
Requires learners to identify and implement specific tools in day-to-day management, which may require additional research and resources beyond the course materials

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Reviews summary

Practical feedback strategies for managers

According to learners, this course offers a clear, actionable 7-step strategy that is a game-changer for handling difficult conversations and performance issues. Many appreciate how it provides practical tools and helps them feel much more confident in confronting difficult employees. The case studies are frequently mentioned as realistic and helpful for applying concepts. While widely praised for its clarity and structure and helpful handouts, some students with more experience found the content a bit too basic or wished for more interactive practice.
Provides useful handouts and worksheets.
"I particularly liked the worksheets and handouts provided."
"The downloadable resources are a great bonus."
"The handouts are a handy reference."
"Useful handouts."
Content is well-organized and easy to follow.
"Good foundational course. The framework provided is solid and easy to grasp."
"The instructor was clear and easy to listen to."
"Excellent course content and delivery."
"Solid information presented clearly."
Examples mirror real-world work issues.
"The case studies were very realistic and helpful..."
"I appreciated the real-world scenarios discussed."
"Seeing how the strategies work in practical examples was great."
"The case studies were good..."
Gain confidence in handling difficult people.
"I feel much more confident now."
"This course equips you with the confidence and tools..."
"I dreaded performance reviews, but this course gave me the structure and confidence to handle them effectively..."
"It really boosted my confidence in my managerial skills."
Provides a clear roadmap for feedback.
"It gave me a clear, actionable 7-step strategy to handle difficult conversations..."
"The framework provided is solid and easy to grasp."
"The approach... is practical and respectful."
"Simply excellent. Clear, concise, and actionable."
Could benefit from more hands-on practice.
"Needed more role-playing examples or interactive exercises to really solidify the skills."
"It's a good starting point but might need supplementary learning."
"Would love some interactive elements."
May be too basic for seasoned managers.
"It is probably best suited for those new to management... Experienced folks might find it a bit basic."
"Okay course. Covers the basics well, but I felt it lacked depth on really complex situations."
"It's good for... absolute beginners, but don't expect advanced insights."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Give Feedback to Poor Performing or Difficult People with these activities:
Review Performance Management Fundamentals
Revisit the core principles of performance management to establish a solid foundation before diving into difficult conversations.
Browse courses on Performance Management
Show steps
  • Review articles on performance management.
  • Summarize key concepts and best practices.
  • Identify areas where you need more clarity.
Read 'Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most'
Learn strategies for managing emotions and communicating effectively during challenging conversations.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
  • Reflect on how these concepts apply to your own experiences.
  • Identify specific techniques you can use in future conversations.
Role-Play Feedback Scenarios
Practice delivering feedback in realistic scenarios to build confidence and refine your approach.
Show steps
  • Find a partner to role-play with.
  • Create scenarios based on common performance issues.
  • Practice giving feedback and receiving feedback.
  • Solicit feedback on your delivery and approach.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read 'Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity'
Explore the concept of Radical Candor and learn how to balance directness with empathy in your feedback.
Show steps
  • Read the book and identify the key principles of Radical Candor.
  • Reflect on how you can apply these principles in your own leadership style.
  • Practice giving feedback that is both caring and challenging.
Develop a Personal Feedback Framework
Create a personalized framework for giving feedback that aligns with your values and communication style.
Show steps
  • Reflect on your past experiences with giving and receiving feedback.
  • Identify your strengths and weaknesses in communication.
  • Develop a set of guidelines for giving effective feedback.
  • Document your framework for future reference.
Implement a 30-Day Feedback Challenge
Challenge yourself to provide regular feedback to your team or colleagues over a 30-day period.
Show steps
  • Set a goal for the number of feedback conversations you will have.
  • Track your progress and document your observations.
  • Reflect on the impact of your feedback on employee performance.
  • Adjust your approach based on your findings.
Mentor Junior Colleagues on Feedback Skills
Reinforce your understanding by mentoring others on how to give effective feedback.
Show steps
  • Identify junior colleagues who could benefit from your guidance.
  • Offer to share your knowledge and experience with them.
  • Provide constructive feedback on their feedback skills.
  • Answer their questions and provide ongoing support.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Give Feedback to Poor Performing or Difficult People will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Human Resources Manager
The role of a Human Resources Manager involves fostering a positive and productive work environment, and this course directly supports that goal. A Human Resources Manager must be capable of setting clear expectations for employees and addressing performance issues effectively. This course directly addresses how to set expectations and confidently confront difficult employees. By teaching best practices in managing people and offering strategies for handling difficult conversations, this course can help a Human Resources Manager improve employee performance and morale. The course's focus on building trust and instilling goodwill further aligns with the core responsibilities of a Human Resources Manager, making this course a valuable asset.
Team Lead
As a Team Lead, you're responsible for guiding your team members toward success. A pivotal aspect of this is offering effective feedback to address performance gaps. This course on providing feedback to difficult individuals directly helps you become a more effective Team Lead. You will learn strategies for creating a positive team climate that fosters open communication and accountability, as well as how to confidently approach conversations about performance and behavior. The course's emphasis on setting clear expectations and implementing progressive discipline gives you the tools to manage team dynamics effectively, which will help enhance team productivity and morale.
Project Manager
Project Managers coordinate teams to achieve specific goals. A critical skill of a Project Manager is the ability to address performance issues and resolve conflicts within the team. This course on giving feedback equips you with a proven approach to manage difficult conversations and hold individuals accountable. The course syllabus includes practical case studies that will help you apply the strategies discussed. The course also gives you techniques to build trust and goodwill which helps you as a Project Manager foster a collaborative and productive team environment. The skills gained from this course are essential for successful project delivery.
Training and Development Specialist
Training and Development Specialists are responsible for improving employee skills and performance. This course on giving feedback to poor performers directly aligns with this responsibility. A key aspect of this role is equipping managers with the tools to handle difficult conversations and address performance issues constructively. By taking this course, you'll be better equipped to set and communicate your expectations on the job and then hold people accountable. You'll also learn a proven, seven step strategy for giving feedback to difficult or non compliant people. Ultimately, this training can help build a more skilled and effective workforce.
Management Consultant
Management Consultants advise organizations on improving their performance and efficiency. A common challenge they address is ineffective communication and conflict management within teams. This course on giving feedback gives you the tools to diagnose and address underlying issues that contribute to poor performance or difficult behavior. By understanding how to set clear expectations, confront performance issues, and build a positive work environment, you can help your clients create more productive and harmonious workplaces. The course's emphasis on best practices in managing people and gaining support from other leaders are crucial for driving organizational change.
Ombudsman
An Ombudsman is a designated neutral party who provides confidential and informal assistance to individuals or groups in resolving conflicts or disputes. This course's focus on developing the confidence and ability to have difficult conversations and offer honest feedback is highly relevant. To be successful in this role, one needs to build trust and goodwill; this course helps to meet that need. Also, a proven strategy for giving feedback to difficult or noncompliant people is provided, which will aid in assisting others when facing situations with conflict.
Employee Relations Specialist
An Employee Relations Specialist focuses on fostering positive relationships between employees and management. A course that provides tools for navigating difficult conversations can be extremely helpful in this role. You'll learn how to set and communicate expectations, how to hold people accountable, and a seven step strategy for giving feedback. This course may help an employee relations specialist to create a more harmonious and productive work environment.
Mediator
Mediators help parties in dispute reach a mutually agreeable resolution. This course focuses on equipping you with confidence and tools that may assist in the mediation process. You'll learn how to set and communicate your expectations and then hold people accountable. You'll also learn a proven, seven-step strategy for giving feedback to difficult or non compliant people. These techniques may allow mediators to facilitate productive conversations, understand underlying issues, and guide parties towards a resolution.
Executive Coach
Executive Coaches work with leaders to enhance their effectiveness and achieve their professional goals. A crucial aspect of executive coaching involves providing honest feedback and guidance on leadership skills. This course on giving feedback directly addresses this need, offering strategies for confronting performance issues and building positive relationships. The course's emphasis on gaining support from other leaders and improving the performance and morale of the organization aligns perfectly with the goals of executive coaching. Learning how to gain support from other leaders is also a great skill.
Compliance Officer
Compliance Officers ensure that an organization adheres to laws, regulations, and internal policies. This course on giving feedback equips you with the tools to address non-compliant behavior and enforce standards effectively. By understanding how to set clear expectations, confront poor performance, and implement progressive discipline, you can help maintain a culture of compliance within the organization. The course's focus on identifying non-negotiables and gaining support from other leaders is particularly relevant for Compliance Officers.
Social Worker
Social workers provide support and resources to individuals and communities facing various challenges. This course's focus on giving feedback to difficult people may be valuable in helping social workers navigate challenging interactions with clients or colleagues. The course may assist in building trust and creating a positive environment.
Educator
Educators play a critical role in shaping the minds of young people. This course emphasizes the importance of clear communication and constructive feedback, which are all skills that are invaluable in a classroom setting. The lessons from this course, such as setting expectations, may help create a positive and productive learning environment for students.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers lead and motivate sales teams to achieve targets. A potential challenge, though, is underperforming members. This course on giving feedback equips Sales Managers with the tools to address performance issues and drive individual improvement. Learning how to set clear expectations and confront non compliant behavior can positively influence sales performance.
Recruiter
Recruiters source, screen, and interview candidates for open positions. While not directly related to giving feedback, this course may provide Recruiters with valuable insights into managing expectations and assessing communication skills during the hiring process. Learning to identify non-negotiables might provide some insight.
Accountant
Accountants are responsible for managing financial records and ensuring accuracy. This course may help with communication in the workplace. It discusses a proven, seven-step strategy for giving feedback to difficult or non compliant people. It may also provide insights into understanding and addressing performance issues.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Give Feedback to Poor Performing or Difficult People.
While the course focuses on giving feedback, this book complements it by exploring the often-overlooked skill of receiving feedback effectively. It helps readers understand why feedback can be so difficult to hear and provides strategies for managing their reactions and extracting valuable insights. is particularly useful for those who struggle with defensiveness or have difficulty accepting criticism.
Introduces the concept of Radical Candor, which involves challenging people directly while also showing that you care personally. It provides a framework for giving feedback that is both honest and compassionate, helping leaders build stronger relationships with their team members. This book offers a fresh perspective on feedback and leadership, making it a valuable addition to the course.

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