Loud Thinking

The Pitfalls of Having Good People Skills

Every strength, no matter how valuable, can be taken too far. When tackling performance issues with underperforming employees, caring leaders with strong people skills must recognize the value of being tough-minded. If you have a hard time being tough on accountability, take charge in a constructive, respectful way. Be direct, especially when there’s a conflict. Avoiding your employee is not helping her; nor is soft-pedaling your message so much that she underestimates the seriousness of the situation. If you need to let an employee go, don’t dawdle by mulling over his good points. If you find yourself saying “It will be hard to find a replacement” or “It’s a bad idea to make a change now,” self-delusion is your biggest threat.

Adapted by HBR from “Can You Overdo People Skills?” by Robert B. Kaiser and Robert E. Kaplan