What Do You Do When Your Top Performer Is Dragging the Team Down

Every business leader dreams of building a team of A-players—but what happens when your top performer can’t seem to collaborate with the rest of the team? When one standout employee clashes with others, it doesn’t just create tension—it can disrupt workflow, derail morale, and impact your entire company culture. And while high performers often drive results, the real question becomes: at what cost? So how do we handle this dilemma? Should we keep the rainmaker and risk losing loyal, dependable team members? Or is there a way to address the conflict without compromising the health of the organization? In this episode, I revisit a conversation I had with the CEO of MicroFamous and producer of this podcast, Matt Johnson. We unpack how to navigate employee conflict—especially when one person is operating on a completely different level. We’ll explore how to spot the warning signs, what to consider before taking action, and how to make decisions that serve your business in the long run. You’ll also learn: Questions to ask when faced with a disconnected team Who to keep on our teams (and who to let go) How to tell when an A-player is more trouble than good About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.