Dear Kaira,
I own a small business, and I have a team of about six people. One of my employees, who’s also my good friend, is incredibly talented and works hard. But I’m constantly having to redirect her negative energy so it doesn’t pull my team down. Am I right to think she might be a bad fit, or am I judging too soon?

ANSWER...
As women, we often second-guess whether we should judge a coworker, or whether we’re making a bigger deal out of an issue than we need to. While it’s smart to keep a level head and make an effort to be fair, let’s face it: skill is a commodity. It’s replaceable. A great attitude, on the other hand, is not.

It sounds like you've encountered what I call a “snark.” This is someone who ultimately bring you and your business down by not supporting your passions and draining your energy. Your talented but negative employee sounds like a “complainer snark.” While this isn’t the most dangerous type of snark, she can still really damage your brand and your ability to succeed.

As you consider whether to keep this person on your team, trust your internal barometer. Keep her close, but not too close. You shouldn’t share confidential information with her, because she’s likely to put it to personal use later. Remember to keep asking yourself honest questions as you interact with her: Does she support me? Does she raise my spirits and push me forward? If you answer no, you have plenty of reason to let her go and allow her to move on.

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