What do you do when your highest-performing employee is also the most toxic?
May 3, 2022
Sometimes your highest-performing employee may also be the most toxic, which can create a significant problem and drive away other valued employees, according to Harvard Business Review.
What should you do if you have a toxic employee on your team? Following are some recommendations.
- Take an honest look at your company culture. If you suspect the person is not the only one participating in toxic behaviors, conduct a culture survey, focus groups and one-on-one conversations with your employees to learn more. You may be contributing to the problem or allowing it to persist. Do not be defensive about the feedback; respond with humility, curiosity and empathy.
- Establish a reliable feedback process. Provide anonymous reporting opportunities so employees are confident they will not be penalized for speaking up about a toxic co-worker—especially if that person has power and influence in the company.
- Implement a no-tolerance policy. Take decisive action so you do not send the message that bad behavior is acceptable if people are performing well.
