How to Manage a Difficult Team?

What is a “difficult team”?

A difficult team is made up of personalities, working styles, or expectations that clash.
It presents a major challenge for its leader.
Often leading to conflict and lowered productivity, a difficult team can become a real obstacle in the workplace.

Why the manager matters more than ever

A leader plays a central role in managing a challenging team.
They must understand each person’s motivations and needs in order to guide them effectively through their leadership.

Being aware of how crucial it is to manage a difficult team properly is essential: it helps resolve conflicts, strengthen cohesion, and maintain high performance. With the right strategies, a leader can transform a difficult team into a motivated, high-performing one.

How can a manager better understand their team members?

When managing a difficult team, understanding each person — and the talents they bring — is essential.
One powerful team-building tool is the Enneagram test, where each collaborator receives a number corresponding to a personality type. It’s a valuable managerial tool to better understand one another.

To create trust and encourage collaboration, active listening and open communication are fundamental.
A leader must identify needs, uncover conflict triggers, and find the most suitable solutions.

Active listening & open communication

In a true listening posture, leaders clarify messages and reformulate instructions when needed.
This demonstrates their commitment to understanding their team.

By taking these initiatives, they create the ideal environment for their talents to thrive.

Identify individual needs & potential sources of conflict

Recognising early signs of conflict is a crucial skill for any leader.
They must pay close attention to interactions within the team and maintain group cohesion.
Detecting the slightest tension allows them to act before disagreements escalate.

Conflict is detrimental in any organisation — whether a startup, an entrepreneurial setting, or a department within a large company.
A harmonious environment fosters mutual trust, drives engagement, and shapes a positive culture.

Set clear, achievable goals & expectations

Empower each person with SMART objectives

To manage a difficult team, objectives must be clear.
SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound) give teams a precise roadmap and clarify expectations.
They also encourage accountability — individually and collectively — since each person knows their role.

Set expectations around performance & behaviour

Clear behavioural and performance expectations guide teams toward excellence.
Collaboration, respect, communication — a leader must provide a harmonious working environment built on these principles.

Clear goals and expectations boost motivation and engagement.
Everyone knows what they need to achieve and can measure their progress.
In turn, overall team performance improves.

How team-building activities can ease tensions

What is team building?

Team building includes activities, seminars, or organised events designed to strengthen bonds, cooperation, and cohesion.
It can take many forms — from a simple day out to more immersive experiences.

These practices are highly valued in the workplace for promoting a positive and enjoyable environment.

Team-building activities are especially helpful for easing tensions in a difficult team. Among them, speed meetings are an effective format to encourage communication and collaboration.

Speed meetings: a powerful team-building example

Speed meetings are short sessions where team members rotate and discuss specific topics.
They help colleagues get to know each other, exchange ideas, and strengthen interpersonal relationships.

One major advantage? The timed format. Everyone interacts with several people in a structured way, preventing discussions from dragging on and ensuring efficient, varied exchanges.

Speed meetings help team members better understand each other and build stronger bonds — ideal for establishing trust and collaboration.
Whatever the activity, it must align with your team’s needs and culture.
Inclusivity and motivation are essential. You can even personalise activities to match your collaborators’ preferences and personalities.

The benefits of a team seminar or team-building retreat

A team seminar or team-building retreat aims to create strong unity and meaningful connection.
It offers powerful benefits: better mutual understanding, improved communication, increased trust and solidarity, boosted creativity and innovation, renewed motivation and engagement

These experiences allow teams to step away from daily routines and focus on shared challenges. Working together, overcoming obstacles, and celebrating victories build a true sense of belonging.

These moments also create an informal space where individuals connect beyond their job roles.

Whether through role-playing, creative challenges, personal development workshops, or playful activities, team members can develop new skills, strengthen existing ones, and even discover hidden talents.

How to boost engagement & motivation in a difficult team

Recognise and reward progress & achievements

Keeping motivation high within a difficult team is essential for maintaining strong performance.
By encouraging teamwork and collaboration, a leader creates a positive workplace that inspires people to give their best.

Recognition is a major driver of engagement. Rewards, incentive seminars, or cohesion-focused team-building sessions show appreciation for everyone’s efforts. This strengthens belonging and encourages individuals to continue investing themselves.

Boosting motivation

To elevate motivation, encourage individuals to set personal goals aligned with collective ones. Offer training and special assignments to stimulate learning and development. Give collaborators responsibilities and opportunities to take initiative. Most importantly, create a positive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. (You may also enjoy our article How to motivate your team and make it more high-performing.)

Managing a difficult team: perseverance & adaptability

When managing a difficult team, perseverance and adaptability are essential.
Like modern-day heroes, managers must remain resilient and ready to adjust to their team’s evolving needs.

We strongly encourage all leaders to implement these strategies: clear objectives, active listening, collaboration, motivation, engagement, and conflict resolution. These actions can transform a difficult team into a high-performing one.

Through these practices, managers can elevate their teams to new heights and create a fulfilling work environment for all.

Remember: every step forward matters, and every effort invested brings you closer to positive, rewarding outcomes.

Is your team giving you a hard time?

Plan a team-building experience focused on cohesion!
Discover all our team-building activities.