Addressing Insubordination or Lack of Follow-Through
When an employee repeatedly refuses tasks or fails to follow through, it’s not just a performance issue—it’s a credibility issue.
This lesson helps you reassert authority with calm clarity, ensuring expectations are understood, consequences are defined, and respect remains intact.
You’ll learn to balance firmness with understanding, keeping the conversation professional while securing accountability and forward momentum.
Lesson Description
When an employee repeatedly refuses tasks or fails to follow through, it’s not just a performance issue—it’s a credibility issue.
This lesson helps you reassert authority with calm clarity, ensuring expectations are understood, consequences are defined, and respect remains intact.
You’ll learn to balance firmness with understanding, keeping the conversation professional while securing accountability and forward momentum.
You’ll Learn How To:
Reassert authority without triggering defensiveness
Address repeated noncompliance or ignored direction calmly
Define clear expectations and immediate consequences
Rebuild accountability through factual communication
Core Steps:
Open clearly — “I need to address a serious concern about follow-through.”
Describe the pattern — “Three deliverables were missed this month.”
Explain impact — “Delays affect clients and credibility.”
Ask directly — “What’s preventing completion?”
• Listen and acknowledge valid concerns
• Redirect: “We still need all tasks completed as assigned.”Reconfirm expectation — “All tasks must be completed on time; continued issues may lead to corrective action.”
Close firmly — “I want to see you succeed, but this must change immediately.”
Manager Mindset:
Focus on accountability, not control.
Your goal is clarity, follow-through, and steady authority—never escalation.
📎 Download: Addressing Insubordination or Lack of Follow-Through (PDF)
Reminder: Join the Office Hours and Role Play Practice sessions for support refining tone and phrasing during high-stakes accountability conversations.
Role-Play Demonstration
🎥 Video Title: Watch: Addressing Insubordination or Lack of Follow-Through
Lesson Description
When tasks are ignored or direction is questioned, every word and tone choice matters.
In this demonstration, you’ll see how the manager maintains calm authority while keeping the focus on accountability and results.
Watch how the manager:
Opens the conversation with professionalism and precision
Uses data instead of emotion to describe the issue
Balances firmness with empathy
Defines expectations clearly while redirecting excuses toward solutions
Watch For:
The tone shift when the employee begins to take ownership
How neutral pacing and posture prevent escalation
The clarity used to reset follow-through expectations
Reflect:
“How can I reinforce accountability without overexplaining or apologizing for authority?”
Reminder: Join the Office Hours and Role Play Practice sessions to rehearse delivery and refine tone when addressing defiance or repeated missed tasks.
Say This / Not This —
Addressing Insubordination or Lack of Follow-Through
🎥 Video Title: Say This / Not This — Language That Reinforces Accountability
Lesson Description
Insubordination often hides behind subtle avoidance or deflection.
Your phrasing determines whether the conversation ends with compliance or conflict.
These shifts help you stay firm, factual, and in control.
Say This / Not This Examples:
Not This: “You’re on thin ice.”
Say This: “This pattern must change now.”
Why it works: The first threatens; the second sets a clear, professional standard.
Not This: “Why can’t you just do it?”
Say This: “What’s blocking follow-through?”
Why it works: The first blames; the second invites problem-solving.
Not This: “Because I said so.”
Say This: “Completing tasks as assigned is required.”
Why it works: The first asserts control; the second reinforces standards.
Key Takeaway:
Clarity is stronger than control.
Firm, factual language reestablishes authority without aggression.
Reminder: Join the Office Hours and Role Play Practice sessions to strengthen delivery and authority under pressure.