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Managing the Unmanageable™: Practical Strategies for Managing Difficult Employees


Course
Allan Papares
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A practical micro-learning course for Wilcon Depot leaders, equipping them with proven strategies to identify, address, and manage difficult employee behaviors while upholding exceptional customer experience standards.

Here is the course outline:

1. Introduction to Managing the Unmanageable at Wilcon

Sets the stage for why managing difficult employees is critical to Wilcon’s customer experience, outlines course goals and competencies, and previews the practical strategies covered in the micro-learning journey.

Why Difficult Behaviors Matter at Wilcon
Defining Unmanageable Behavior
Impact on Customer Experience and KPIs
Course Roadmap & Competency Alignment
Quick Self-Check: Spot the Signs
Essay Assessment: Identifying and Understanding Unmanageable Behaviors at Wilcon
Quiz: Introduction to Managing the Unmanageable at Wilcon
Course Project: Identifying Unmanageable Behaviors at Wilcon

2. Recognizing Difficult Behaviors in Retail Environments

Enables supervisors to spot early warning signs of unmanageable behavior, differentiate performance gaps from attitude problems, and assess customer and team impact.

Early Warning Signs on the Sales Floor
Skill Gap or Will Gap?
Behavior vs Personality: Staying Objective
Customer & Team Impact Mapping
Quick Diagnostic Toolkit
Essay Assessment: Recognizing Difficult Behaviors in Retail Environments
Quiz: Recognizing Difficult Behaviors in Retail Environments
Retail Behavior Recognition Project: Spot, Diagnose, and Map Impact

3. Uncovering Root Causes of Resistance and Negativity

Guides learners through systematic root-cause analysis to uncover personal, organizational, and environmental factors that drive difficult behaviors.

Root-Cause Thinking 101
Personal Factors: Stress, Fit, Motivation
Organizational Factors: Processes & Culture
Environmental Factors: Layout & Shifts
5-Whys Practice Session
Essay Assessment: Identifying and Analyzing Root Causes of Difficult Employee Behavior
Quiz: Uncovering Root Causes of Resistance and Negativity
Root Cause Analysis Project: Diagnosing and Addressing Difficult Behaviors

4. Communication Techniques for Tough Conversations

Provides practical frameworks—such as SBI and LEAD—for active listening, assertive messaging, and constructive feedback when addressing difficult employees.

Preparing for the Tough Talk
Active Listening in a Fast-Paced Store
Assertive Messaging with SBI & LEAD
Constructive Feedback on the Spot
De-Escalation Phrases & Body Language
Essay Assessment: Applying Communication Techniques for Tough Conversations
Quiz: Communication Techniques for Tough Conversations
Course Project: Applying Communication Techniques for Tough Conversations in Retail

5. Establishing Clear Expectations and Boundaries

Demonstrates how to translate Wilcon service standards into measurable behavioral expectations, communicate them effectively, and secure employee commitment.

From Service Standards to Behaviors
Crafting SMART Expectations
Boundary-Setting Conversations
Securing Commitment & Check-Backs
Job Aids & Visual Cues
Essay Assessment: Applying Clear Expectations and Boundaries at Wilcon
Quiz: Establishing Clear Expectations and Boundaries
Course Project: Translating Standards into Action—Setting and Reinforcing Expectations at Wilcon...

6. Crafting Effective Performance Improvement Plans

Covers step-by-step creation of performance improvement plans, linking behaviors to outcomes, setting timelines, and documenting actions in line with HR policy.

Knowing When a PIP Is Needed
Setting PIP Goals, Supports, Timelines
Documentation Best Practices
Mid-Point Reviews & Course-Correction
Closing the PIP: Success or Next Steps
Essay Assessment: Demonstrating Mastery in Crafting and Managing Performance Improvement Plans
Quiz: Crafting Effective Performance Improvement Plans
Course Project: End-to-End Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) Simulation

7. Coaching for Sustainable Behavior Change

Integrates identification, communication, and boundary-setting skills into an ongoing coaching cycle that reinforces positive change and addresses relapse early.

Coaching Cycle Overview
Reconfirming the Behavior
GROW Meets SBI: The Coaching Conversation
Reinforcement & Positive Feedback
Monitoring & Relapse Prevention
Essay Assessment: Applying the Coaching Cycle for Sustainable Behavior Change
Quiz: Coaching for Sustainable Behavior Change
Coaching for Sustainable Behavior Change: Practical Application Project

8. Consistent Enforcement and Consequence Management

Trains managers to apply consequences fairly, escalate when necessary, and document each step to protect the organization and customer experience.

Policy & Values Framework
Progressive Discipline Steps
Fairness & Consistency Checks
Documentation & Evidence Collection
Escalation & Termination Decisions
Essay Assessment: Applying Consistent Enforcement and Consequence Management at Wilcon Depot
Quiz: Consistent Enforcement and Consequence Management
Course Project: Applying Consistent Enforcement and Consequence Management at Wilcon Depot

9. Developing Your Store Action Plan

Learners synthesize course tools into a personalized plan for tackling current difficult employee situations, complete with timelines and success metrics.

Diagnosing Current Store Challenges
Prioritizing Behaviors & Outcomes
Designing Interventions & PIPs
Resource & Timeline Planning
Success Metrics & Review Cycle
Essay Assessment: Developing Your Store Action Plan
Quiz: Developing Your Store Action Plan
Store Action Plan Project: Managing Difficult Employee Behaviors

10. Summary and Forward Commitment

Reviews key concepts, celebrates learner achievements, and sets next steps for continuous improvement in managing the unmanageable at Wilcon.

Key Takeaways & Wins
Lessons Learned from Case Walkthroughs
Personal Commitment Statement
Peer Pledge & Support Network
Next Steps & Continuous Learning
Reflective Essay: Applying Course Strategies to Manage Difficult Employees at Wilcon
Quiz: Summary and Forward Commitment
Course Project: Commitment to Managing the Unmanageable
Study guide
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