Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course
Unaddressed performance problems drag down team morale, overload strong performers and expose organizations to grievances when issues are eventually handled in a hurry. You begin by diagnosing why performance slips, separating skill gaps, motivation issues, unclear expectations, personal circumstances and systemic barriers. Coaching and development sessions then show how to set clear standards, give specific feedback and agree support that gives employees a real chance to improve. Handling challenging behaviour, including negativity, resistance, absenteeism and conflict with colleagues, is practised through realistic role plays.
Corrective action is covered step by step, from documenting concerns and running performance improvement plans to warnings, fair hearings and alignment with employment law and internal policy. Monitoring employee progress receives attention so that reviews are consistent, evidence-based and defensible if challenged. The final day looks at preventing problems by building a work environment where expectations, recognition and accountability are clear. Supervisors, line managers, department heads and HR officers who handle people issues will find it practical. You leave with conversation scripts, a documentation checklist and a performance improvement plan template adapted to your organization.
About this course
Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training provides practical strategies for resolving workplace performance issues through structured leadership approaches and effective communication. Participants explore performance management, employee engagement, conflict resolution, coaching, disciplinary procedures, performance improvement planning, and AI-supported employee analytics. The course strengthens decision-making, documentation, accountability, and workplace relationships while promoting consistent management practices. Practical activities, workplace scenarios, and AI-assisted performance monitoring enhance learning and improve professional confidence. Participants complete the course with practical skills that strengthen employee performance and organizational effectiveness.
Throughout the programme, participants work through realistic scenarios drawn from public sector institutions, private enterprises, development organizations, and regulated professional environments, examining how managing performance problems and difficult employees is applied in practice and where it most often breaks down. Delegates will develop practical skill in designing appropriate frameworks, selecting and applying the right tools for monitoring employee progress., interpreting findings, and communicating conclusions clearly to colleagues, management and external stakeholders. Sessions move deliberately from principles to application, so that each technique introduced is practised against a realistic problem before the programme moves on — strengthening both individual effectiveness and the wider capability of the organizations delegates return to.
Training Objectives
This course equips participants with practical knowledge and structured approaches for managing employee performance concerns while maintaining fairness, professionalism, and organizational standards. Additionally, participants will strengthen leadership confidence by combining proven performance management practices with AI-supported workplace solutions.
- Identify common causes of employee performance problems.
- Apply effective performance management techniques.
- Conduct constructive performance feedback discussions.
- Manage difficult employee behaviors professionally.
- Develop measurable performance improvement plans.
- Utilize AI tools to support performance monitoring and documentation.
- Strengthen conflict-resolution and employee-engagement strategies.
What you'll learn
Key Takeaways
By the end of the Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course, participants will leave with:
- Apply structured methods for resolving employee performance concerns.
- Conduct effective coaching and performance discussions confidently.
- Handle difficult employees professionally and consistently.
- Utilize AI responsibly to improve performance monitoring and reporting.
- Build a positive culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement.
- A comprehensive working understanding of managing performance problems and difficult employees principles and performance-measurement methodology.
- Enhanced ability to design practical systems and evaluate outcomes reliably.
Training Methodology
The training applies an interactive and practical learning approach that combines real workplace situations with structured discussions and guided exercises. Trainers facilitate learning through collaborative participation, practical demonstrations, AI-supported performance management activities, and continuous feedback sessions. Each participant develops practical solutions that can be implemented immediately within their organization.
- Interactive Facilitator-Led Sessions – Trainers guide participants through practical concepts using discussions, demonstrations, and workplace examples.
- Case Study Analysis – Participants examine realistic employee performance situations to strengthen analytical and decision-making skills.
- Role-Playing Exercises – Participants practice coaching, feedback delivery, conflict management, and difficult conversations in simulated workplace environments.
- AI-Supported Practical Exercises – Participants explore AI tools for performance monitoring, documentation, reporting, and employee performance analysis.
- Group Discussions and Action Planning – Participants collaborate to solve workplace challenges and develop practical implementation plans.
Day 1: Understanding Employee Performance Challenges
- Understanding performance management principles.
- Identifying causes of poor employee performance.
- Recognizing difficult workplace behaviors.
- Performance standards and expectations.
- Employee accountability and responsibility.
- Early intervention strategies.
- AI applications in performance assessment.
Day 2: Performance Coaching and Employee Development
- Coaching techniques for performance improvement.
- Conducting constructive feedback sessions.
- Active listening during performance discussions.
- Setting measurable performance goals.
- Creating employee development plans.
- Monitoring employee progress.
- AI-supported coaching and development tools.
Day 3: Managing Difficult Employees Professionally
- Types of difficult employee behaviors.
- Handling resistance and negative attitudes.
- Managing absenteeism and misconduct.
- Conflict resolution techniques.
- Emotional intelligence during difficult conversations.
- Documentation of employee incidents.
- Legal and ethical considerations.
Day 4: Performance Improvement and Corrective Action
- Developing Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs).
- Progressive disciplinary procedures.
- Conducting formal performance reviews.
- Documentation best practices.
- Employee motivation and engagement.
- Managing underperforming teams.
- AI-driven performance reporting and analytics.
Day 5: Building High-Performing Work Environments
- Creating a culture of accountability.
- Strengthening employee engagement.
- Retaining high-performing employees.
- Leadership strategies for sustainable performance.
- Measuring performance improvement outcomes.
- Action planning for workplace implementation.
- Continuous improvement through AI-supported performance management.
This course is ideal for professionals responsible for supervising employees, improving workplace performance, and handling difficult personnel situations. It also benefits individuals seeking practical strategies for creating productive teams while integrating AI into performance management processes.
- Human Resource Managers.
- Human Resource Officers.
- Line Managers.
- Team Leaders.
- Department Heads.
- Supervisors.
- Organizational Development Professionals.
Participants who complete the training will receive a Certificate of Completion issued by Vision Reach Global Consultancy. The certificate recognizes the participant's competence in managing employee performance challenges and applying practical workplace performance management strategies.
Issued on completion of the programme, the certificate evidences both attendance and active participation, and is accepted by employers and professional bodies across the public, private and development sectors. Verification is available from Vision Reach Global Consultancy on request.
Upcoming cohorts
CPD-Accredited
Official invoice & confirmation letter provided
Team discount for 3+ seats
Need help with this booking?
Our training team can help with group pricing, invoicing, or picking the right schedule.
Choose Where You Want to Learn
Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course Venues
KenyaNairobiNext Nov 16· 13 dates$1,500- KenyaMombasaNext Nov 2· 13 dates$1,600
- KenyaKisumuNext Nov 2· 13 dates$1,500
- KenyaNaivashaNext Nov 9· 13 dates$1,500
South AfricaCape TownNext Nov 2· 13 dates$3,800- South AfricaPretoriaNext Nov 9· 13 dates$3,200
- South AfricaJohannesburgNext Nov 9· 13 dates$3,400
TanzaniaZanzibarNext Nov 23· 13 dates$2,600- TanzaniaDar es SalaamNext Nov 2· 13 dates$2,000
- TanzaniaArushaNext Nov 16· 13 dates$1,900
- TanzaniaDodomaNext Nov 2· 13 dates$1,800
RwandaKigaliNext Nov 2· 13 dates$1,900
UgandaKampalaNext Nov 9· 13 dates$1,900
UAEDubaiNext Nov 2· 13 dates$3,800
NigeriaAbujaNext Nov 16· 13 dates$2,800- NigeriaLagosNext Nov 23· 13 dates$2,800
GhanaAccraNext Nov 23· 13 dates$4,500- KenyaMachakosNext Nov 9· 13 dates$1,600
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Frequently Asked Questions About Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course
Everything you need to know about this course before you register.
By the end of the Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees programme, you'll be able to understand core managing performance problems and difficult employees principles and how they fit together in practice, apply practical techniques for monitoring employee progress. in day-to-day implementation, strengthen evaluation, reporting and quality-assurance capability, and improve decision-making using evidence-driven performance information. The full breakdown of topics is covered session by session in the Course Outline tab above.
This course is ideal for professionals responsible for supervising employees, improving workplace performance, and handling difficult personnel situations. It also benefits individuals seeking practical strategies for creating productive teams while integrating AI into performance management processes. Typical delegates include Human Resource Managers., Human Resource Officers., Line Managers., Team Leaders., Department Heads., Supervisors., and Organizational Development Professionals..
Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course typically runs as 5 Days. It's available as in-house corporate, in-person classroom, and live virtual training — every course can also be delivered on-site for your team on dates that suit you.
Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course is scheduled in-classroom in Nairobi, Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya, Kisumu, Kenya, and Naivasha, Kenya, and 14 other locations, plus a live interactive virtual classroom you can join from anywhere. Check the schedule panel above for exact upcoming dates and fees in each location.
The next live virtual cohort of Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees starts November 2, 2026, with new classroom cohorts also running on a rolling basis. Pick a date and location in the schedule panel above, then click "Register for the Course" — it takes a few minutes and your seat is confirmed once payment or a signed purchase order is received.
Yes — delegates who meet the attendance requirement receive a Certificate of Completion for Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course from Vision Reach Global Consultancy, issued in the name you register with, so double-check the spelling at checkout.
Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course is pitched at intermediate professionals. If you're unsure whether it's the right fit for your current role or background, message our training advisors before you register and they'll help you confirm.
Fees for Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course vary by delivery location and format and are shown in real time in the schedule panel above once you pick a date. Register 3 or more delegates on the same course together and a 5% team discount is applied automatically — larger cohorts can request a custom corporate quote.
Yes — Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course can be delivered on-site at your offices (or virtually for distributed teams), with case studies and examples tailored to your industry and the specific challenges your team is working through. Switch to the "In-House" tab in the schedule panel above to request a proposal.
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Training by Country
Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course by Country
- Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course in GhanaGHClassroom in Accra
- Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course in KenyaKEClassroom in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Naivasha, Machakos
- Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course in NigeriaNGClassroom in Abuja, Lagos
- Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course in RwandaRWClassroom in Kigali
- Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course in South AfricaZAClassroom in Cape Town, Pretoria, Johannesburg
- Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course in TanzaniaTZClassroom in Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Dodoma
- Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course in UgandaUGClassroom in Kampala
- Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training Course in the UAEAEClassroom in Dubai
- Live Online Managing Performance Problems and Difficult Employees Training CourseInstructor-led, joined from anywhere
What Our Clients Say
VRG brings strategic discipline to complex organizational challenges. Their approach is structured, data-driven, and outcome-focused.
Levis Wabwire
Managing Director
They facilitated our strategy review, we improved departmental KPI alignment by 35% and reduced operational bottlenecks significantly.
David Oketch
Strategy Lead
Employee engagement scores increased following the leadership training program. The difference in accountability culture is evident.
Wendy Albright
Program Manager