Having to deal with employees who don’t listen is so frustrating. Being ignored at work is never nice at the best of times and if you have to deal with employees who don’t listen it can knock your confidence, impact the team overall and can certainly create negative feelings that help no-one.

I share 7 ways to tackle employees who don’t listen, and each is effective. Don’t allow team members who don’t listen to remain an annoyance, a hindrance and a source of disruption for the team any longer.

Matching your communication style to their learning style is a sensible step which will help them take in what you are saying. Make it as easy for the employee who doesn’t listen as possible.

Next take a look at your own behaviour. Are you listening to them? Are you acting on what they are telling you? Are you asking them to undertake activities which help the team and them. Treat them as you would like to be treated and you have a much higher chance of being listened to.

Explain the why. Why are you asking the employee to do the task you are? Have you explained this to them? And when you are being ignored at work, explain the impact of the other person not listen and not doing.

If you are still not being listened to at work, then ask the employee to give you a summary of what you have asked and also ask for their input. This is a great way to get them involved and forces them to take in and think about what you have asked.

A further step is providing the employee who doesn’t listen with a set of options and ask them to decide which one should be pursued.

Whatever you mutually agree, put the actions and activities which the goals in writing. This provides a clear reference point for both parties.

And lastly, create consequences if the team member doesn’t listen and doesn’t take action.

Don’t allow an employee to not listen to you, particularly if the team output will suffer. Take any of the 7 ways outlined to deal with employees who don’t listen.


00:00 Intro
01:19 Match your communication style
02:15 Take a look at your own behaviour
03:35 Highlight the why and the impact
04:30 Ask for a summary and input
05:29 Ask them to make a decision
06:46 Put what is agreed in writing and follow up
07:50 Create consequences
08:36 In Summary

Other videos that you will find useful:
How To Deal With An Underperforming Team Member    • How to Deal With Underperforming Team...  
5 Steps to Manage Difficult Employees    • 5 Steps to Manage Difficult Employees  
How to Manage Difficult Conversations At Work    • How To Manage Difficult Conversations...  

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.