There's an individual subordinate to me(whom I can't fire, unfortunately) that fits these passive-aggressive types(what follows is background, you can also skip to the question):
•The Prolonged Performer-No task is too big or too small, and ultimate completion of a task is not an issue; however, the time it takes to complete becomes the real problem. This person is willing and able to complete an assignment and appears to comply with the request, all the while taking so long to reach completion that the task-giver is sorry he ever gave the assignment in the first place, as it has incited more aggravation and potentially caused more grief than good.(1)
•The Intentional Inefficient-Knowing that ultimate responsibility for productivity, volume and efficiency falls squarely upon the shoulders of another, this person takes passive steps to diminish the ends. Claiming to have forgotten something, redirecting fault to others, subtly expressing disdain and making mistakes are strategies this person employs in an effort to cast negative light on another or put the person responsible for the results in a bad situation. This person spins it as if the overall failure to achieve success or reach completion is due to the difficult or arduous nature of the task, and someone else is to blame; therefore, responsibility for that failure is shifted to the person whom the passive-aggressive behavior is intended to injure.(1)
•The Counter Compliant-In being asked to perform a duty, complete a function or even do a favor, this person purposefully falls just short of compliance, but only to a point that complaining about it would seem trivial. The individual silently and with quiet contempt takes action toward complying with a request, but in the process, purposefully forces the other party to "come the last 10 percent." Since work was done and energy exerted, the individual would reasonably be seen as having made an effort to comply, and complaining about the minimal remaining effort to go that last yard would make the task-giver seem insatiable and demanding.(1)
Question: anybody have any tips for getting a passive-aggressive to do his job while protecting my career from him? (keep in mind, I can't fire him. I wish I could)
(1) www.constructionbusinessowner.com
•The Prolonged Performer-No task is too big or too small, and ultimate completion of a task is not an issue; however, the time it takes to complete becomes the real problem. This person is willing and able to complete an assignment and appears to comply with the request, all the while taking so long to reach completion that the task-giver is sorry he ever gave the assignment in the first place, as it has incited more aggravation and potentially caused more grief than good.(1)
•The Intentional Inefficient-Knowing that ultimate responsibility for productivity, volume and efficiency falls squarely upon the shoulders of another, this person takes passive steps to diminish the ends. Claiming to have forgotten something, redirecting fault to others, subtly expressing disdain and making mistakes are strategies this person employs in an effort to cast negative light on another or put the person responsible for the results in a bad situation. This person spins it as if the overall failure to achieve success or reach completion is due to the difficult or arduous nature of the task, and someone else is to blame; therefore, responsibility for that failure is shifted to the person whom the passive-aggressive behavior is intended to injure.(1)
•The Counter Compliant-In being asked to perform a duty, complete a function or even do a favor, this person purposefully falls just short of compliance, but only to a point that complaining about it would seem trivial. The individual silently and with quiet contempt takes action toward complying with a request, but in the process, purposefully forces the other party to "come the last 10 percent." Since work was done and energy exerted, the individual would reasonably be seen as having made an effort to comply, and complaining about the minimal remaining effort to go that last yard would make the task-giver seem insatiable and demanding.(1)
Question: anybody have any tips for getting a passive-aggressive to do his job while protecting my career from him? (keep in mind, I can't fire him. I wish I could)
(1) www.constructionbusinessowner.com