University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
Managing the Unmanageable
Book

Managing the Unmanageable

How to Motivate Even the Most Unruly Employee

Anne Loehr and Jezra Kaye
Career Press, 2011
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

This easy-to-read toolbox belongs on every manager’s shelf. Management consultants Anne Loehr and Jezra Kaye provide creative, effective ways to transform unmanageable employees into helpful team members. The first half of the book contains the authors’ expert, insightful advice. The second half contains case studies – including some that feel sort of contrived – that Loehr and Kaye provide to illustrate their suggestions. getAbstract recommends their realistic advice, clear layout and step-by-step approach to those who must manage challenging employees.

Summary

Unmanageable Employees

An employee who creates problems can cost a manager 30% of his or her efficiency.

Since you could be the one who gets sabotaged, look for these signs that a worker may become impossible to manage:

  • Reduced interest – If an employee says, “I’m just not into it anymore” or “This job isn’t what I expected,” his or her interest is waning.
  • Undefined expectations – If a disconnect between a manager and an employee is creating a problem, you might hear the worker say, “I have no idea what she wants!” or “It’s impossible to satisfy him.”
  • Low self-esteem – Workers who lack self-confidence can become defensive. Listen out for, “I don’t know why they thought I could do this!”
  • Problems at home – Personal issues steal employee focus. Consider interceding if you hear an employee say, “I just can’t seem to concentrate.”

Unmanageable Archetypes

Unmanageable employees (UEs) tend to fall into certain archetypes:

  • “The Excuse-Maker” never accepts blame.
  • “The Grumbler” makes negative comments.
  • “The Egomaniac” can’t...

About the Authors

Anne Loehr’s insights into building “global and generationally diverse teams” appeared in Newsweek and on CNN. As president of Speak Up for Success, Jezra Kaye teaches business leaders how to communicate.

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