Don’t let these three workplace “monsters” haunt your team

Here’s how to recognize and support employees facing burnout, disengagement, and complacency

With Halloween just around the corner, today’s edition of Insiders is going to get downright  👻spooky. 👻

No matter how focused you are on building a strong, positive team, you’ll occasionally encounter some ‘monstrous’ behaviors.

If you don’t know how to deal with them, they can wreak havoc on your culture, productivity, and team morale.

So today, I thought I’d shed some light on these workplace “monsters” – the burned out “Zombies,” the energy-draining “Vampires,” and the complacent “Mummies.” 

I’ll show you how to recognize them, support them, and bring them back to life. Let’s dive in!

Zombies – The Burned Out Employee

According to a new survey by DDI, burnout is up a whopping 60% since 2020. 

That means you may have some Zombies on your team. 

Burnout and disengagement have drained their energy, leaving them to shuffle through their workday without passion or purpose. They’re going through the motions—but mentally and emotionally, they are checked out.  

The danger with Zombies is that they often go unnoticed for too long. They may not actively disrupt the team, but their lack of engagement can spread like an infection, dragging down performance and morale of everyone around them.

How to manage Zombies: First, diagnose the source of burnout or disengagement. Is it an overwhelming workload? A lack of recognition? Are they feeling disconnected from the company’s mission? 

By identifying the root cause, you can begin to address the problem and revive your Zombies. 

Try offering opportunities for professional development. Up your recognition efforts. Make sure your team members feel heard and valued.

And as always, prioritize regular check-ins so you can spot signs of burnout early and take steps to re-engage those team members before they “infect” others. 

I absolutely love this story from United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz. In it, he talks about the low employee morale he found when he took over — and how it became the foundation for the massive turnaround he led there:

Vampires – The Energy Drainers

Every team has a few stars who lift others up, but beware of the Vampires—the people who drain the energy from everyone around them.

Vampires are often negative, overly critical, or self-involved, and they can create an environment of toxicity. They’re often the ones advancing their own agendas and stirring up internal drama. 

Left unchecked, they can suck the life out of collaborative efforts and leave everyone around them feeling depleted and discouraged.

How to manage Vampires: When it comes to Vampires, the first step is to confront their negative behavior directly. It’s important to set boundaries and give clear, constructive feedback on how their actions affect the team. 

You may also want to dig into what’s driving those behaviors. Often, the root cause is feeling unheard, underappreciated, and overlooked.

But if the behavior doesn’t improve after feedback and support, it may be time to consider whether they’re a fit for the team at all. Sometimes, the best solution is to part ways.

Timo Boldt, the founder of the meal delivery service Gousto, learned this lesson the hard way. He brought in a big-wig who would certainly qualify as a Vampire—yelling, berating, and draining the team’s energy.

Timo quickly realized this person would destroy the culture he’d worked hard to build, and his team was grateful when Timo made the tough call to let him go.

Mummies – The Stagnant Employee

Mummies are the people who have stopped learning and growing. 

These team members are stuck in the past, clinging to outdated methods and resisting change. They’ve become "wrapped up" in routines and perspectives that no longer serve them or the organization. And as a result, they can’t (or won’t) adapt to new challenges or opportunities.

Mummies slow down innovation and progress, making it difficult for teams to evolve. The danger here is complacency—a team filled with Mummies can quickly become irrelevant in the fast-paced, ever-changing world we all live and work in.

How to manage Mummies: To help Mummies get "unwrapped" and back on track, foster a culture of continuous learning and development.

Encourage them to step out of their comfort zones with new challenges, training, and growth opportunities.

Sometimes, all it takes is the right motivation to transform a Mummy back into a thriving, engaged team member.

When I talked with McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski, he shared a quote from their iconic founder, Ray Kroc, who said: “If you’re not green and growing, you’re red and rotten.” 

When you’re as successful as McDonald’s, you’ve got to guard against complacency. That’s the mindset Chris stresses whenever people push back on new ideas or hesitate to take risks. 

Sure, this idea of Halloween monsters makes for a fun metaphor, but let’s be real.

If someone is showing signs of burnout, toxicity, or complacency, they’re not a monster at all. They’re a person in need of strong, supportive leadership. 

Focus on fostering a culture of empathy, growth, and balance. By addressing these issues with care and respect, you can help your team overcome obstacles and create some SCARY good growth for your organization!

Now, I’d love to hear from you! What strategies have you used to help correct “monstrous” behaviors in your workforce? 

Drop me a note in the comments below. I can’t wait to get your feedback!