• THE KNOW-IT-ALL

What to look out for:

• Constantly interrupting, dismissive of others’ ideas, argumentative, and always has an opinion on everything. The know-it-all creates a hostile work environment by dismissing others’ contributions and monopolizing conversations.

What to do:

• Encourage listening and collaboration, and remind them that everyone has something to contribute.

• THE NEGATIVE NELLY

What to look out for:

• Constantly complains, lacks enthusiasm, and brings down team morale. It’s infectious. Negativity can spread like wildfire, causing low morale, high turnover, and decreased productivity

What to do:

• Encouraging positive and optimistic thinking, and focusing on solutions rather than problems can help combat negativity.

• THE SLACKER

What to look out for:

• Consistently missing deadlines, poor quality work, and shirking responsibilities. Slackers cause problems by increasing the workload on other team members and creating a negative work ethic.

What to do:

• Clearly communicate expectations, hold them accountable, and offer support and resources to help them improve.

• THE GOSSIP

What to look out for:

• Spreading information about other employees, being overly curious, and divulging confidential information. Gossipers create toxic work environments by damaging reputations and trust, undermining leadership, and creating unnecessary tension and conflict.

What to do:

• Follow clear policies and guidelines on office conduct, and encourage employees to report gossip when it happens.

• THE MICROMANAGER

What to look out for:

• Micromanagers create negative work environments by causing employees to feel undervalued, creating confusion and resentment, and stifling creativity. They are driven by excessive control.

What to do:

• Establish clear expectations, communicate regularly, and offer suggestions and guidance without hindering creativity. Give employees responsibility and ownership for their work.