6 Types of Employees (and How to Handle Them)

 

 

Gary isn’t one to take initiative. He needs specific instructions, and will follow them to a T. Just don’t look to him to take on leadership or figure things out himself.

 

How to Manage Gary: Gary is great when you have rote activities and processes. Look for projects he can take on that stick to a prescription.

 

 

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Imogene. She’s one step ahead of you and is always looking for ways to innovate (and impress you).

 

How to Manage Imogene: As she continues to go above and beyond, give her more responsibility—and reward. She’ll make a great manager one day.

 

 

Darren absolutely love his job. He has no desire to get promoted, and would do his job for free. He’s not particularly embracing of change, however, and you often struggle to get him trained and using new software or techniques.

 

How to Manage Darren: Give him plenty of heads up when change is on the horizon to give him time to adjust, but make it clear that training and implementation are mandatory.

 

 

Whether she’s in your office with a story about how someone ate her lunch or is taking yet another sick day, Vicki can be a time suck. She doesn’t honestly add much value to the team.

 

How to Manage Vicki: Assess her work and if it’s not up to par, let her know. Also lessen your availability for those time-wasting conversations if there’s no resolution to be made. If she’s not measuring up to company standards, let her go.

 

 

Carl is on a mission: to be where you are very soon. He’s all about climbing the corporate ladder, and he’s not particularly concerned with hurting anyone that gets in his way. Don’t expect Carl to stay with your company more than a few months. He’ll get what he needs and move on.

 

How to Manage Carl: If you find him an asset, make strides to create a career path for him at your company. Consider promoting him if you have the room for it.

 

 

If you’re out of the office, Patty knows to take over. You trust her implicitly, and you work well together. She’s aspirational, but not in as big a hurry to progress as Carl.

 

How to Manage Patty: Show her plenty of appreciation for her hard work, and give her a raise. She deserves it.