Resolving conflict with a subordinate

• Rarely getting agreement from a key subordinate?
• What might be the underlying reason?
• What differences are their between you that might incline this subordinate to challenge your authority?
• Focusing on unchangeable differences is a deadend.
• Rather than look to causes, search for solutions.
• Are you an outsider - recentlly arrived from another organization?
• Insiders often resent newcomer managers if they try to establish their authority too quickly.
• Did he/she have a strong relationship with your predecessor?
• If so, you will need to give the relationship time to grow.
• The key is to find something you have in common or can share.
• Is there a common purpose you can agree to go after?
• What does this subordinate want that you can provide in exchange for a more cooperative stance?
• How might the way you behave provoke this person? Anonymous feedback (360) might give you some clues.
• Could you ask him/her to describe the boss that he/she liked best?
• What did this boss do that you do not?
• Does your subordinate feel sufficiently valued by you?
• Can you give him/her more responsibility?
• Do you provide enough recognition for his/her achievements?
• Is he/she seeking some form of attention from you that you have not provided thus far?
• Is he/she showing off in front of peers?
• Do you have style differences - personality or workstyle questionnaires can highlight such differences.
• How can you see your style differences as complementary?
• What ground rules might you agree for how you interact?
• Does he/she want to be a leader or manager some day?
• If so, what about asking him/her what sort of example he/she is setting for others by creating unproductive conflict?