If you have a “leaper” and a “stepper” on your staff who are at war with one another, you have a big problem that needs immediate attention. Leapers are people with fast biological clocks. Steppers approach the world slowly and cautiously. Their very different views of the world can lead to disastrous results if they’re put into roles that make them dependent on one another to complete tasks.
For example, Larry the leaper and Steve the stepper are on the same technical team.
To read the rest of this article from the Charlotte Business Journal, see: Stop battles between ‘leapers’ and ‘steppers’ http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2008/12/08/smallb4.html
The more invested they are in the rightness of their styles, the faster the gulf between them will widen until their differences become irreconcilable. When they go to war, they’ll both look to you as their manager to punish the other (guilty) person and to excuse their own transgressions.
The war will feel like a crusade and become toxic through out the office. They’ll misunderstand and see negativity or evil intent in almost every action and email. They’ll begin to harass, bully, abuse and sabotage, and attempt to line up supporters.
Intervene as soon as possible, before hostilities engulf the whole office.
Be careful yourself; don’t empower one to be the controlling bully on your team. Don’t harass, coerce or force your preferred pattern on everyone.
Learn what you can do to eliminate the high cost of bullying, aggressive low attitudes of managers and staff.
All tactics are situational. Expert coaching and consulting can help you create and implement a plan that fits you and your organization.