How Do I Deal With My Negative Employee?

Negativity is a bit like a cancer.  It chips away and destroys not only the negative person but everyone around them.  Your negative employee is likely also the naysayer and resistor to change.  They might even like to say they aren't negative, just "realistic." So, how do you deal with this "cancer" in your team.

I guess the prescription would be dependent upon the impact this employee has on the team.  If they are a creative genius that sits in a cubicle with very little interaction with others, then I'd suggest coaching them and helping them to understand how career limiting their negativity can be.

If they are in a high profile position or a position that requires interaction with customers and/or other team members - that's a different story.  Of course, you want to start with coaching.  It always starts with a conversation and this is no different.  They may not understand the impact of their negativity on the team.  They may not understand the impact of their negativity on their future career potential.  They may not even realize that being "realistic" is perceived as negative.

I always say start with a simple conversation and then progress to documentation.  Give them a set period of time to improve.  Provide specific examples of demonstrating negativity.  When you see a demonstration of negativity don't wait and tell them about it two weeks later, find a way to point it out right away.  Of course, you don't want to point them out in front of other people but at the first opportunity when you can get them alone, tell them exactly what they did and why that would be considered as negative.  Ask them to come up with a "do over" and what could they have said in the particular situation that would be more positive.

Negativity is no different than any other performance issue.  If the behavior is inappropriate and impacting the team, it needs to be dealt with in the same way that you would handle absenteeism or insubordination - communication, documentation, and consequences.