Managing Away Bad HabitsManaging Away Bad Habits

9/00 HBR Article by James Waldroop & Timothy Butler

9/00 HBR Article by James Waldroop & Timothy Butler

Bad Habits Root Causes

Inability to understand world from others perspective.Failure to recognize when/how to use power.Failure to come to terms with authority.Negative self-image.

6 Primary Patterns of Flawed Stars

The HeroThe MeritocratThe BulldozerThe PessimistThe RebelThe Home Run Hitter

Is It Worth the Effort?

1. Is the person valuable enough to warrant the investment?

2. Are you the right person to help the employee change?

3. Can you make enough time to provide feedback as necessary?

Dealing with The Hero

Definition: Always pushes self & others too hard.

Changing: Make checklist of warning signs, heighten awareness.Emphasize winning war strategically, not every battle.Respect other’s private time.Observe, provide timely feedback, mentor, coach.

Dealing with The Meritocrat

Definition: Believes world is objective, ignores politics.

Changing: • Offer sympathy, understanding.• Pick battles where they can perform, win.• Work on understanding team members and their

differences.• Observe, provide timely feedback, mentor, coach.

Dealing with The Bulldozer

Definition: Runs roughshod over people.

Changing: • Be as strong as the Bulldozer with them.• Use harsh real possibilities – being fired.• Work on building respect of other’s abilities, pace.• Observe, provide timely feedback, mentor, coach.

Dealing with The Pessimist

Definition: Focused on downside of every change, and what can go wrong.

Changing: • Ensure their awareness of your support.• Teach how to evaluate risks with upsides.• Offer protection for failure.• Observe, provide timely feedback, mentor, coach.

Dealing with The Rebel

Definition: Automatically fights authority, convention.

Changing: • Refuse to play favorite tug-of-war games.• Raise awareness of negatively perceived behavior.• Raise awareness of competitive & opponent behavior

to provide politically correct solutions.• Observe, provide timely feedback, mentor, coach.

Dealing with The Home Run Hitter

Definition: Tries to do too much too soon.

Changing: • Make aware of appreciation for efforts.• Groom for long term, slower pace to avoid burnout of

them and others.• Understand others priorities, pace, interactive

behaviors.• Observe, provide timely feedback, mentor, coach.

Compare Flawed Stars with D.i.S.C. Profiles

Identify your organization’s flawed stars with reverse D.i.S.C. profiles.Use D.i.S.C. profiles to manage more effectively by addressing their needs, fears, strengths.