The ‘won’t-do’ employee

According to author and speaker Ken Blanchard, when it comes to effective management, there are two types of problems: a “can’t do” problem and a “won’t do” problem. The first is the responsibility of the supervisor, while the second is for the employee to tackle. The challenge is to tell the difference, as each type requires a different approach.

Won’t-do problems often arise in tenured employees. It can be difficult to identify a won’t-do problem, because the employee may appear to be industrious. But despite appearing to be busy, she is simply not performing job functions.

There are a number of reasons for won’t-do problems:

• • The employee either never had motivation or has lost it.

  • The employee is vindictive, seeking revenge for a perceived slight (being disrespected, passed over for promotion, etc.).

  • The employee has lost interest in the company’s mission.

  • The employee is suffering from a personal problem (addiction, divorce, bereavement).

The problems facing the won’t-do employee may be difficult, but the supervisor must not attempt to take responsibility for them. The employee is the only one who can solve a won’t-do problem.