Your team member challenges your authority in front of clients. How will you regain control and respect?

1 Stay Calm

In the heat of the moment, maintaining your composure is crucial. Reacting emotionally can escalate the situation and diminish your authority further. Instead, take a deep breath and remember that your response will set the tone for the resolution. By staying calm, you demonstrate to your clients and team that you're in control and capable of handling challenging situations professionally.

2 Address Privately

After the initial incident, it's important to address the team member privately. Public confrontations can lead to embarrassment and defensiveness, which are counterproductive to resolving the conflict. In private, discuss the behavior that was inappropriate and express how it impacted the team and potentially the client's perception. This conversation should be a constructive dialogue where you listen to the team member's perspective as well.

3 Reinforce Roles

Clarifying roles and expectations is a fundamental step in preventing future authority challenges. Make sure your team member understands their role within the team and how it relates to yours as the leader. Emphasize the importance of presenting a united front to clients and the negative implications when internal conflicts become public. This is an opportunity to reinforce the hierarchy and protocols that govern interactions with clients.

4 Lead by Example

Your actions speak louder than words. Model the behavior you expect from your team by treating everyone with respect and professionalism. When you consistently demonstrate what it means to be a leader, your team is more likely to follow suit. Leading by example also reinforces your position of authority without needing to assert it verbally constantly.

5 Open Communication

Fostering an environment of open communication can prevent future outbursts. Encourage your team to share their concerns and ideas in appropriate settings, such as team meetings or one-on-one discussions. When team members feel heard and valued, they're less likely to feel the need to challenge authority publicly. Plus, open communication can lead to better problem-solving and innovation.

6 Build Relationships

Finally, invest time in building strong relationships with each team member. When there's mutual respect and understanding, challenges to authority are less likely to occur. Strong relationships mean you can leverage your rapport to address issues more effectively and collaboratively. Remember, respect is earned through consistent, fair leadership and genuine connections with your team.