How to Deal With Lazy People at Work
These are the key points to follow when dealing with lazy people at work:
- Don't neglect the issue: Make the fact that they are not doing what is expected, a definite issue.
- Give them specific, delegated tasks by means of SMART targets.
- Praise them every time they make any move to do any task. This is called positive reinforcement.
- Tell them the painful consequences that will befall them if the task is not done. This is called negative reinforcement.
- Be persistent. Don't let their desire to be lazy, trump your desire to get them working.
- Work on them for a long period of time. Behavioural change is an evolutionary process.
Do you have any work-shy people at work?
Work-shy people are those who know what they should do, but they don't do it. They have the materials, they have the resources, but they still don't do it.
Why? Because they are lazy.
Lazy people are falling victim to the natural tendency to save energy. They do that by doing the least possible.
If you have to work with a lazy person it is frustrating, because the work they don't do, you have to do. Or it does not get done.
How to deal with a lazy person.
1. Don't neglect the issue
Make the fact that they are not doing what is expected a definite issue. There are some people who drift into laziness, over time, and they don't even realise that they are being lazy.
2. Give them specific delegated tasks by means of SMART targets.
The first thing to do is to ask the lazy person to do more things. Lazy people lack personal initiative and self-motivation, so you have to supply those factors. You need to give them specific tasks to do with a deadline. SMART means.
- The task must be specific.
- The task must be measured.
- The task must be achievable.
- The task must be realistic.
- The task must have a clear time deadline.
3. Praise them every time they make any move to do any task.
This is called positive reinforcement. The moment the person makes a step, tag it with a bit of positive praise and reinforcement. That will motivate lazy people to do more.
4. Tell them the painful consequences that will befall us if the task is not done.
This is called negative reinforcement. The moment the person fails to make a step, tag it with a bit of a warning about the painful consequences that will happen, if the task is not achieved. That may motivate the person to act.
5. Be persistent.
Don't let their desire to be lazy, trump your desire to get them working.
Lazy people are lazy by habit. It takes time to change a habit. It is difficult to change a habit. So, you have to be prepared for a fairly long struggle to change this person's habits.
6. Work on them over a long period of time.
Behavioural change is evolutionary. You cannot change people in one day, nor by shouting at them once. Instead you will need to work on them, over a longer period of time.
Not by shouting; but by praise, reprimand and specific goals by means of smart targets.
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SMART target
At work, a SMART target is a goal-setting rule. It names one clear task, gives a measure you can count, fits the skills and tools on hand, and sets a deadline. If any part is missing, the goal no longer meets SMART and loses its power to drive action.
CG4D Definition
Context: Business performance management
Genus: Goal-setting framework
- States one clear, concrete outcome (specific)
- Includes an objective measure for success (measurable)
- Fits the resources and skill level of the worker (achievable and realistic)
- Sets a firm deadline for completion (time-bound)
Article Summary
Lazy people at work improve only when you name the problem, set clear SMART tasks, reward each step forward, warn of fair costs for delay, and stick to this cycle until new habits become normal.