Hospitality Industry Manager's Reference Library Page

Handling Four Employee Personality Types at Meetings

Here are some suggestions for handling four distinct employees personality types at meetings:

Complainers. Try to prevent them from speaking until others have offered positive comments. Ask them questions such as, "How would you handle it? Or, "Can you think of 1 or 2 ways we could make improvements?" Avoid negative words when you phrase these requests.

Quiet Ones. Draw them out with statements such as, "We value everyone's input. Let’s agree that it's OK to disagree, but it's not okay to tune out." Give them a "speaking part," ask then to read a section from a house policy or work manual.

Know-It-Alls. Don't discourage them, but don't let them off easily. Probe for specific data that supports their statements. Sometimes they do know what they’re talking about.

Actors and Actresses. These folks love the spotlight, have little to say but take a long time to say it. Ask them to "funnel" questions that start wide but narrow to specifics.

Example: "The promo is just 3 weeks away. Can we come up with an effective way to get the word out around town without radio?

Source: The 4-Part Manager's Survival Guide, "Bar/Nightclub Management & Marketing" , a powerful tool for creating traffic & increasing sales using proven marketing, promotions & improved operations techniques.

About the author: Ray Ford is a food & beverage consultant. FORD Management Services specializes in business plans, new concepts & business turnarounds. The company also develops Web sites & online services. If you have any questions on a project that you're currently working on, or would like some input, drop us an email: using this convenient form.

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