TIGHT LIPS

Tight lipped people won't talk or offer information when you try to hold a discussion with them. They shut down and answer questions in one syllable answers. They do not let you know why they are being so quiet even if you ask. They give out the energy that something is wrong however they are just not going to tell you what it is. They continually disengage from the group by saying "I don't know" or similar phrases. They play dumb and give out the message that you " won't have to deal with their silence if you just leave them alone" and "don't even think about confronting them because it won't do any good." Also if you push them too hard they give the impression that they may explode.

HOW TO HANDLE TIGHT LIPS

Tight Lips use silence as a form of control and if you let them get away with it they can cause more problems than the aggressive members of a team. Everyone ‘treads on egg shells' and ‘dances fancy footwork' around them trying to find out what is wrong. Ask open ended questions that can't easily be answered with a "yes" or "no". Putting "Tell me" in front of a question usually achieves this. Make sure you wait silently for an answer even if it gets to the stage where you are feeling uncomfortable. Don't rescue or jump in to relieve the pressure of the silence. Encourage them to talk and then move from talking about them, to processes quickly. Do not let them get away with silence if your meeting time with them runs out, set up another appointment letting them know what you are going to discuss with them in the follow up appointment.

POT SHOTTERS

Pot Shotter's tend to attack from behind and not directly. They will use indirect communication such as hinting or innuendos that are directed at others and expect that their prey will "get it". They put others down with ‘put downs', criticism and at times false rumours that may have a small bit of truth in them but are greatly exaggerated. Pot Shotters build allies before they attack so that they can use the power of the group. If confronted they will pretend that they have done nothing and hide behind their allies.

They tend to send out the message that if you mess with them they will get you back later and from behind. They tend to think that they are smarter than most people.

HOW TO HANDLE POT SHOTTERS

These people can damage members of the team's confidence level because they feel that they are being ganged up on. Make sure as a manager that you expose them. If you catch them in the act of their hints or innuendos, immediately ask them "what they meant by that remark?" Expect that they will deny the comment and rephrase it to make it sound innocent, however the more that you expose them in front of the team the less likely they will continue it. Do not challenge them directly or accuse them in front of the team; allow them to be able to save face by asking questions. Ensure that the team understands that you have heard the cutting remark and you do not accept it. Try to subtly engage the team's agreement that cutting remarks are not acceptable. Do not underestimate pot shotters and their power for destruction. Never laugh at their cutting remarks even if their remark could be seen as funny.

That completes the series on difficult behaviours in teams. Every individual has their own way of control. Normally the difficult behaviors elevate when an individual is under pressure. The more management learns about their people and their individual style the easier it is to manage your team to individual achievement and high team productivity.