There is, however, no one picture of what a ‘bad apple’ is, the authors explain; these types of workers come with a variety of traits, personalities, and problems. “Some are so easy to spot that they may as well have flashing lights on their heads. Things such as tardiness, leaving work early, failing to follow instructions, rudeness, argumentativeness, and an inability to take direction are obvious indicators that you have a problem on your hands.” The simplest and best way to identify a bad employee is to determine if he negatively affects the company’s bottom line, Sember guides.

As a leader, who is often required to chair meetings, it is important for you to keep control of a meeting. One simple indication of control is your intervention when one of the meeting members makes an inappropriate comment. A strong leader doesn’t wait for others to shake their heads in silent disdain for the inappropriate outburst — or worse, nod in agreement, says Florence M. Stone in The Manager’s Question & Answer Book: 190 importa nt questions - with practical answers to make you a better manager ( www.visionbooksindia.com).

Body language can also be effective in controlling meeting behaviour, she counsels. “If someone makes a scathing remark that is unjust or inaccurate in response to a remark from one of the participants, a strong, disapproving look back to the member may be effective.”

Conversely, when participants at a meeting respond non-verbally to another member’s comment a strong leader can address the behaviour verbally or non-verbally.

— D. Murali

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