Thread by @swardley

X : It's important to get rid of arseholes in a team.
Me : What do you mean by "arseholes"?
X : I have a few miserable moaners bringing down my team.
Me : Ah yes, I understand the problem.
X : What's the fastest way of solving it? Fire them?
Me : No. You retire.

X : Why should I retire?
Me : Have you talked to your "miserable moaners" on why they're unhappy? Not in terms of a performance review but by actually supporting them?
X : Yes
Me : If I asked them whether you have, would they say the same?
X : I've given clear instructions.

Me : Giving clear instructions and guidelines are not the same as supporting someone. Can I ask a few questions?
X : Ok.
Me : Have you ever walked into the team, found them laughing, they go silent and you then asked the question "Ok, what's so funny?"
X : Yes

X : Is that a bad thing?
Me : Laughing?
X : Yes
Me : No. Do you laugh much with your team?
X : Not really, it's not that kind of place.
Me : Yes it is. You're just not emotionally connected with your team.
X : I am.
Me : Hmmm.

X : Why "hmmm"?
Me : You don't seem emotionally connected to your team, you're not supportive and you've got problems with communication. The issue isn't the "miserable moaners", the issue is you.
X : Is that your advice?
Me : No. I'd advise you to fix those things or retire.

X : I don't agree.
Me : Do you think of yourself as a good person?
X : Yes
Me : Do you care about others?
X : Generally
Me : Do you have any idea of the physical harm you are causing yourself and your team by managing them?

X : How am I causing them harm?
Me : Are you sitting comfortably?
X : Why
Me : Managerial leadership and ischaemic heart disease among employees - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19039097 ... it's one of many.
X : I don't understand.
Me : Bad management kills people ... slowly.