Posted on Nov 25, 2019
How should I handle people who are difficult to manage?
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I am a Mental health Worker for DMH here in Massachusetts. I had a discussion with a secondary pool staff member about job duties. He was trying to explain to me he does any and every assignment given to him including shaves etc. He was saying he has 7000 hours as an MHW etc.
I explained to him my lead MHW is the chief of training other MHWs(Mental Health Workers 1;2;3) for the state of Massachusetts on 3d shift(we have about 80 MHWs on 3d shift)and on my unit he would not be doing shaves etc. We have 4 classes of staff 1) regular(senior MHW1s normally stay on their assigned units); 2) float staff(junior MHws go around till they learn the clients) 3) secondary pool(housekeepers and kitchen staff that help out 4) orientees or 90-day seasonals (new hires) and 5) sometimes we have nursing students or psych interns.
I am still a secondary pool in the kitchen as I worked my way up from the kitchen. I am in my 16th year starting January 11th. Anyway, the different classes have different job duties and I was hoping my friends here that are or were sergeants in charge could chime in. I explained to him if my lead is the SGM in charge of training the battalion and I am an SGT(squad leader) and I am told a PVT does a certain assignment a certain way, then the PVT will do it that way. I was trying not to disrespect a former Marine, but he is difficult to manage as he is a Housekeeping Lead(FSW3) and knows everything.
I am a Senior MHW1 and put in charge of my unit sometimes and must follow the rules of Administration and not make my own. I was looking for input from NCOs about difficult to manage people.
I explained to him my lead MHW is the chief of training other MHWs(Mental Health Workers 1;2;3) for the state of Massachusetts on 3d shift(we have about 80 MHWs on 3d shift)and on my unit he would not be doing shaves etc. We have 4 classes of staff 1) regular(senior MHW1s normally stay on their assigned units); 2) float staff(junior MHws go around till they learn the clients) 3) secondary pool(housekeepers and kitchen staff that help out 4) orientees or 90-day seasonals (new hires) and 5) sometimes we have nursing students or psych interns.
I am still a secondary pool in the kitchen as I worked my way up from the kitchen. I am in my 16th year starting January 11th. Anyway, the different classes have different job duties and I was hoping my friends here that are or were sergeants in charge could chime in. I explained to him if my lead is the SGM in charge of training the battalion and I am an SGT(squad leader) and I am told a PVT does a certain assignment a certain way, then the PVT will do it that way. I was trying not to disrespect a former Marine, but he is difficult to manage as he is a Housekeeping Lead(FSW3) and knows everything.
I am a Senior MHW1 and put in charge of my unit sometimes and must follow the rules of Administration and not make my own. I was looking for input from NCOs about difficult to manage people.
Posted in these groups: 
Chain of Command
Respect
Chain of Command Respect
Edited 5 y ago
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 4
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Google the term Team lead, it is a civilian practice for people not quite in a leadership position, yet have oversight duties. There are some basic tenant associated that may help. NCO’s have military authority behind thier orders, you do not-the techniques are starkly different. You want to influence, as you cannot order. Good luck.
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If he is doing a job in a way that is specifically prohibited, you show him the prohibition. If he is doing the job, just not in the way YOU want him to do it, you leave well enough alone (unless youbare in a direct supervisory position to the individual). If he is doing a job in a way THAT HIS boss doesn't like (but isn't written down), then you politely inform him that his boss said to do it a different way and let him make his own decisions.
Unless he is doing something unsafe - then you take more direct action involving your boss, his boss, or both.
It sounds to me like you have been moved into a position with some level of responsibility beyond just yourself, albeit a low level. However it also sounds like this individual does NOT fall within that scope of responsibility. You can attempt to influence, but in that "power dynamic" you have no real authority. Worry abiut YOUR lane.
Unless he is doing something unsafe - then you take more direct action involving your boss, his boss, or both.
It sounds to me like you have been moved into a position with some level of responsibility beyond just yourself, albeit a low level. However it also sounds like this individual does NOT fall within that scope of responsibility. You can attempt to influence, but in that "power dynamic" you have no real authority. Worry abiut YOUR lane.
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William Barry
yes technically it is a low level of authority as the mhw 4s run the units completely but the mhw2s do provide direction to secondary pool staff and orientees along with MHW1s. When i fill in as MHW 2, I am in charge of other staff as well as the safety of 26 mentally ill and suicidal clients.The reality is though my RN3 and MHW3 lead on 11 to 7 (3d shift) are strict and would have no issue with me removing a float or secondary pool that are problematic.
I am sure after 7 years as a secondary pool he knows how to do all facets of the MHW job correctly as there are times he is the only housekeeper on a very busy unit and it is kept clean. My point to him was that secondary pool people only have a limited assignment list and my RN3 would not allow variation outside that list. It doesn't matter if you know more than a regular staff with no seniority, that's the problem.
I am sure after 7 years as a secondary pool he knows how to do all facets of the MHW job correctly as there are times he is the only housekeeper on a very busy unit and it is kept clean. My point to him was that secondary pool people only have a limited assignment list and my RN3 would not allow variation outside that list. It doesn't matter if you know more than a regular staff with no seniority, that's the problem.
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Stay in your lane and tell him to do the same. Each rank and position have specific duties for a reason. Just let him know to do what he is supposed to and become a professional in that position first. Once he is ready to progress to more duties he can if a spot is available.
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