How to address someone who's dragging the entire team down like a leader, not a manager

September 7, 2026

It’s Tactical Tuesday!

Here is the Thought, Tip, and Tool of the week...need Leadership 101 tools? Start here.

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The Thought

Did you know… sometimes the person who’s struggling isn’t the only one paying the price.

When the team constantly has to cover missed work, fix mistakes, or fill gaps, one person’s performance problem becomes everyone’s problem.

Leaders don’t keep finding ways to work around someone.

They address what the team keeps having to carry.

Quote:
“Individual commitment to a group effort, that is what makes a team work.” – Vince Lombardi

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The Tip

Remember to…

1. Stop covering for them

A manager says:

“I’ll just have someone else take care of it.”

A leader says:

“I’ve noticed that when something gets missed, everyone else jumps in and covers it. We can’t keep doing that.”

Then ask:

What do you think happens to everyone else when they have to keep stepping in?
What’s getting in the way of you following through?

Think about a group project.

When one person doesn’t pull their weight, the work doesn’t disappear.

Everyone else has to carry more of it.

Stop rescuing long enough for accountability to become visible.

2. Show them what it’s costing the team

A manager says:

“Everyone’s frustrated with you.”

A leader says:

“This is creating more work for everyone else.”

Then get specific.

Following up. Redoing work. Covering gaps. Spending time on things they shouldn’t have to.

Then ask:

Can you see how other people are having to work harder because this keeps happening?
What impact do you think that’s having on the team?

Don’t tell someone that everyone is annoyed with them.

Help them see the impact their behavior is creating.

Awareness creates an opportunity for change.

3. Don’t let talent excuse the impact

A manager says:

“But they’re really good at their job.”

A leader says:

“You bring a lot to this team, but being good at your job doesn’t mean everyone else should have to work around you.”

Someone can be talented, experienced, and well-liked and still make the team worse.

Both can be true.

Then ask:

What needs to change so people can count on you without having to compensate for you?
What are you willing to do differently moving forward?

Managers keep finding ways to work around the person.

Leaders address what the team keeps having to carry and build a solution together.

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The Tool

Short Video: Learn how leaders address someone who’s dragging the team down without attacking the person or continuing to cover for them.

See how to make the impact visible, create accountability, and build a path forward that protects both the person and the team.

Watch the viral video on TikTok

Watch this viral video & read the post on LinkedIn

Watch this video on Instagram

Watch this video on Facebook

Or watch other CLA videos here on YouTube

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Leadership Question of the week…

Here is the top question this week from our 200+ Leadership Questions (part of our Complete Leader Package. Don’t have these? Get instant access here.

❓ How do you hold yourself accountable for team goals?

❓ How do you hold others accountable, and how can we improve that?

❓ How can we make accountability feel more supportive?

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Activity of the week…

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These tools, talk-tracks, tips, activities and questions will make your leadership work easier in 2026!

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Thank you for leading and lifting others out there!

-Dwight

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