You have a struggling employee on your team. How can you support them without affecting team morale?

When a team member is struggling, subtle support is key to maintaining group morale. One approach is to quietly assess their challenges and provide one-on-one coaching, allowing them to improve without drawing attention to their difficulties. Encouraging small wins boosts their confidence while keeping the team motivated. For instance, delegating tasks that align with their strengths can gradually rebuild their performance, and recognizing progress, no matter how minor, uplifts their morale without creating disruption within the team dynamic.

Start by having a private, empathetic conversation with your colleague. Sometimes, just knowing someone cares can be incredibly uplifting. Ask open-ended questions to understand their challenges and listen actively without immediately offering solutions.

Supporting a struggling team member while maintaining team morale requires a balanced and empathetic approach as a leader. The key is to address the individual's challenges privately and offer personalized support through mentoring, upskilling and tailored feedback. This avoids singling them out in front of the team, which can lower the morale. At the same time, it's important to maintain transparency with the team by reinforcing a culture of growth and collaboration. Encourage open communication, where team members feel safe sharing struggles and successes. If executed right, this approach can not only uplift the individual but also strengthen the entire team's morale and cohesion.

Start by having a private chat to understand their challenges and offer help or resources to improve. Encourage them to develop their skills through training or mentorship, showing that you care about their growth. Create a positive and supportive team environment by promoting open communication and teamwork. Also, celebrate their small successes to boost their confidence. This way, you can help the struggling employee get better while keeping the whole team motivated and positive.

To support a struggling employee without affecting team morale, start by talking to them privately to understand their challenges. Offer help through extra training or guidance to help them improve. Make sure the rest of the team feels involved and supportive, rather than focusing on any negative impact. By encouraging a positive and helpful environment, you can help the employee grow while keeping the team’s morale high.