Dealing with team members that bug us

You know the feeling.
Their name pops up on your calendar and your stomach drops just a little.
They are not low performers. They are actually delivering.
But something about the dynamic makes leading them harder than it needs to be.
In this episode of Real Talk: Leading Small Teams, we break down three common archetypes that trigger leaders and how to handle each one without avoiding hard conversations.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why “Praise-Seeking Polly” may not actually feel recognized, even when you think you are praising them
What “Mindy the Mope” might be signaling about role fit and strengths alignment
Why “Defensive Dan” reacts to feedback and how to lower defensiveness without walking on eggshells
How to anchor feedback in shared expectations so high performers stay coachable
If you have someone on your team who makes you want to cancel your one-on-ones but is technically doing a good job, this episode will help you shift from frustration to strategy.
💻 Grab the Snippets template: liagarvin.com/snippets
Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo
Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.
Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.
I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER.
Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com
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© 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple