I've got a pretty packed roadmap at work, and there's a team member who's more focused on their own "skunk works" project that doesn't really add value and will soon be outdated with the next software version from one of our vendors. Despite this, they have a knack for playing office politics, claiming that tasks that should take a couple of weeks are actually taking more than six months. They also tend to dominate discussions in meetings and sometimes throw blame on others. I'm looking for advice on how to approach this situation effectively.
2 Answers
It sounds like you might need to assess the situation based on your company culture first. Are you in a position to directly manage this person, or are you a peer? Make sure they're aware that their performance isn’t meeting expectations. Maybe offer them support through training or mentoring. If there’s no improvement, you might have to consider moving towards a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) and, if necessary, letting them go.
From what you've described, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact issues. Have the team’s priorities and deadlines been communicated clearly? Are they a junior member or more experienced? Look into whether they have consistent backlogs or if work is constantly being shifted around. Sometimes, there might be external factors affecting their progress. It’s crucial to consider both sides here—your management style and their work style may both need some adjustment.
Exactly, context is key here!