What do you do if a team member undermines your decisions in an IT Operations role?

Open Communications is always Key. Go to that individual and review Concerns and Options. Then together take the issue up the chain or Come to an Agreement or Agree to Disagree. Do Not Allow the other persons position to become personal. Different Opinions may Challenge us to revisit our own position or opinion.

Having novel ideas, I often encounter resistance. It all starts with understanding why there is resistance. In my experience, the key enabling factor to learn the true reason for resistance is establishing a save communication environment, where the person in question feels comfortable to speak up. As a rule, communication should always be one-to-one, and preferably in person. Next, phase is assessing the gap between the conflicting views. It's probably the best to jointly develop a path to bridge the gap. It's a good idea to communicate publicly what is the outcome in a positive way. Communication in a positive way means that it conveys the message about the lessons learn, without any blame. This sets the new standard.

Communication is key and talk candidly and open. Direct. Speak about feelings and expectations. Get a clear understanding of each other's ideas and thoughts , concerns etc

When making decisions, provide context. Explain why a particular choice was made. Encourage team members to seek clarification. Address their concerns openly.

I have found that when issues like this arise, if the problem is not miscommunication, it is often lack of education or understanding. It’s important to speak to the individual and evaluate their knowledge of the topic or process, then develop a plan to provide the appropriate remediation or reinforcement. Addressing the situation in this manner prevents assumptions by ruling out innocent mistakes and provides an opportunity for trust building with the team member. Additionally, proper documentation of the conversation/education will help to establish any behavioral patterns and support future action, should it become necessary.

When a team member undermines your decision as a leader, it can disrupt team cohesion and productivity. Issue identification is important while paying attention to specific instances so as to get a fuller picture. Conduct an open one-on-one conversation with the team member- helps build trust and cohesiveness . Approach the conversation with a calm and professional demeanor. Provide specific examples of undermining behaviour and listen to the team members perspective or any concerns. Set clear expectations on what is expected/ acceptable.Work together to find a resolution that addresses the team member's concerns. Keep an eye on the team member’s behavior to ensure improvement. Circle back with acknowledgment of positive changes.

Team members who undermine decisions can be challenging. Still, constructive steps can be taken to clear the differences by understanding the Situation, as the cause could be due to disagreement over technical aspects, personal issues, lack of clarity, or misunderstanding reasoning. Encourage a collaborative approach by seeking input from the team before making decisions which can help in gaining and reducing resistance from team members who feel excluded or unheard. Approaching the team member and discussing 1-1 will also help express concerns to know their perspective. open communication can clarify misunderstandings or reveal valid concerns that need addressing.