If you manage a team, teach a class, or in any way are responsible for a group, then you have to pay close attention to anyone who is making the experience worse for everyone else – no matter how much they’re contributing on their own.
I had a fantastic mentor give me this advice years ago during my first sales management role: At some point for every sales manager, they will have a top performer, an absolutely incredible seller, who is a huge jerk. No matter how much money they’re making for the office, you have to get rid of them, and quickly, if you can’t solve it. Because that person will destroy your whole team, no matter how good they are individually.
Nothing matters more than team cohesion. You need to work hard to create a culture that allows people to bring you those concerns quickly. You don’t want people even worried that you’ll favor high individual productivity over abusive group behavior; otherwise they may not even bring you their concerns. And if they aren’t, they’re solving them in their own way, which usually means leaving.
You have to expel the poison quickly. Coach first, and see if you can address it. But if you can’t, be swift.
