The 4 Types of Employees: How Should You Manage Each of Them?

The workforce of a company is the backbone of its success, which makes proper employee management a very important daily task for business executives.

Identifying each team member's strengths, weaknesses, and unique characteristics is key to effectively delegating tasks, providing targeted support, and creating a positive work environment that encourages growth and development.

Of course, every person is different, but there are ways to identify which type of employee they are.

The situational leadership theory categorizes employees into 4 groups: trainee, star, eclipse, and burden. Let’s take a look at how we can spot them and what should we do to optimize their resources and improve their bottom line:

1. Trainee Employees: Trainee employees are new hires who have recently joined the company. They are usually fresh graduates or have limited experience in their field. They are undergoing a training period where they are learning about the company's policies, procedures, and culture. Trainee employees are a company's future and companies should invest time and resources in their development.

2. Star Employees: Star employees are the top performers in the company. They are highly skilled, knowledgeable, and possess a strong work ethic. They consistently meet or exceed their targets and are valuable assets to the company. Companies should recognize and reward these employees to keep them motivated and engaged.

3. Eclipse Employees: Eclipse employees are those who were once star employees but have lost their shine. They may have become complacent or their skills may have become outdated. Companies should provide training and support to help these employees get back on track and improve their performance.

4. Burden Employees: Burden employees are those who consistently underperform and cause a burden on the company's resources. They may lack the necessary skills, motivation, or work ethic required to meet their targets. Companies should consider re-training or terminating these employees to improve the overall productivity of the company.

It’s important for companies to have a clear understanding of the different categories of employees and the role each plays in the success of the company.

‍

By recognizing and investing in their star employees, providing support to their eclipse employees, and addressing their burden employees, companies can improve their performance and achieve long-term success.