The Good The Bad and The Ugly - divisive people

I was riding with a client recently who was telling me about an employee who texted him a very rude message. She was second guessing his decision on an assignment within the organization - “I don't need other people doing My job”. He went on to tell me how this individual routinely alternates being angry with one manager/employee or another and how much angst it causes within the organization. She combines self- righteousness with hyper sensitivity/insecurity. He laughed “that’s just the way she is, always causing drama but she’s been with the company for so long and knows her job”. I didn’t laugh. I’ve seen the damage toxic people do within organizations and it’s not funny.

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly – (play theme song)

Dr. Henry Cloud gives a seminar called “Enemies and Idiots; How to deal with toxic people”. He categorizes people in organizations into 3 categories. I have juxtaposed his suggestions for dealing with people who require correction with scripture from Mathew 18.

Wise (good)- Take correction (See the light of truth) and gladly accept it in a desire to improve. These people should be resourced, trained and monitored to make certain they continue to grow in the organization. They will follow objectives and standards when properly laid out. These people may or may not have the greatest natural abilities, but are the building blocks. MT 18:15 If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over

Fools (ugly)– don’t take correction. When they are shown the truth, they make excuses and don’t take responsibility. Fools can be useful, but must be given strict limits and consequences. The mantra on these people is - Find a problem – state the problem clearly (they won’t change -because they're "fools") – talk to them about ignoring the problem – give consequences – Bring 2 or 3 other leaders. MT 18:16 “. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."

– Follow through. Fools can be productive in an organization and sometimes can grow to be less foolish.

Bad –There are bad people in the world who seek division and destruction. These people seek to elevate themselves at the expense of others and do intentional damage to organizations and individuals. They are there to pull you down, sometimes without seeming to even have a reason for it. These people may appear to be valuable from a capability perspective, but ultimately are toxic to any organization. MT 18:17 If they still refuse to listen, (tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church), treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

-Throw them out and have nothing to do with them. The Biblical model works well here also, as we must be aware of legal ramifications when dealing with these people so “take one or two others along” is wise counsel from a witness and documentation perspective as well.

This process itself helps determine who is just a Fool vs. who is Bad. That determination is critical to make quickly once a problem person arises. Don’t make excuses for Bad people. I’ve witnessed groups who had previously been friendly and very effective turn on each other, become isolated and get caught up in the divisiveness due to a Bad instigator. Failure to identify and address toxic people is always bad for morale and can be fatal to a company.

There are no perfect people – until Jesus returns, and we all need to make sure we fall into the Wise category ourselves in order to Lead our organizations. That requires addressing issues within our organizations in prompt and consistent manner. As Christians, we are to love mercy and justice, so we don’t take action that is cruel or unfair. As the shepherds of our organizations we are responsible to take decisive action that protects it.

Problems don't manage themselves.

Blessings and success!

SR*