Originally posted November 22, 2013 on Recruiter.com

How do you Solve a Problem Like Dwayne Bowe?

Here in Nebraska we don’t have a pro football team, so many of us cheer for our neighbors, the Kansas City Chiefs (particularly this year). Having the best season since many of us can remember, it was a big deal when starting wide receiver Dwayne Bowe got arrested the week before the Chiefs’ toughest game of the season against the Denver Broncos.

The Chiefs were the last undefeated team standing this season at 9-0, when one of their key players was arrested on drug charges. While we don’t all have an NFL season on the line, top performers who break the rules are a common problem in business.

What are company leaders to do with top performers who just won’t follow the rules? This talent has proven to be an asset to the company, but does that make them impervious to the policies and standards that the rest of the team is held to?

This is a tough one for management. When you have a worker who is key to driving the success of the team, but they won’t get in line, management’s actions (or lack thereof) will come under great scrutiny. On one hand, firing this person, or using disciplinary actions that might lead to him or her quitting, will affect the entire team. When a key player leaves, it can damage the success of the organization. On the other hand, when these workers are given preferential treatment, it will undoubtedly tick off those employees who actually have to play by the rules. And for the record, the “It’s none of your business anyhow” attitude will really tick off the rest of the team. Read more…

photo credit: Connor Tarter via photopin cc

Maren Hogan

Maren Hogan is CEO of Red Branch and general Bad@$$

Maren Hogan is a seasoned marketer and community builder in the HR and Recruiting industry. Maren started Red Branch Media and, before she hired all the smiling faces you see below, she ran it on her own. In marketing for over 15 years, she has deep experience in strategic campaigns and a long-term, results-based operational approach.