"Stop Being A D*ck"
In this workplace coaching anecdote, the speaker recounts addressing an employee who repeatedly received complaints for rude behavior. After prior warnings from senior leaders failed, the speaker meets with the employee, focusing on reducing complaints rather than moralizing. He asks the employee to list actions that trigger negative perceptions and identifies four concrete problematic behaviors—interrupting in meetings and claiming superior knowledge of other departments, among others. The speaker then provides specific alternative actions for each problematic behavior, creating a clear behavioral replacement plan. Within a week, the team notices a dramatic improvement, illustrating that vague admonitions like “don’t be a dick” are ineffective; instead, granular, actionable feedback drives change.
