SHIFT BREAK! Addressing "Bad Apples" On Your Staff

SHIFT BREAK! Addressing "Bad Apples" On Your Staff

Author: Chris Deferio May 21, 2026 Duration: 14:33

Nothing kills cafe culture like an a staff member who is a bad fit for their role. Often this manifests in work performance issues that are felt by customers, coworkers, and leaders alike. It brings people down.

The diabolical thing is that the most common response cafe leadership has is to simply wish it away and let it go on far too long. Meanwhile a toxic or ill fit employee continues (whether unwittingly or knowingly) to do damage to morale, service, and the reputation of the business. 

Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how to approach this "Bad Apple" situation in a way that seeks the highest good for all parties involved and affords you the opportunity to develop more decisiveness  and resilience in the face of these unfortunate situations. 

 

KEYS TO THE SHOP®  1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING

If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com

OR... book a free call now to talk about working together

https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 

 

Related Episodes: 

 


Running a coffee shop is about so much more than pulling great shots. It's a complex dance of craft, culture, and commerce that demands a unique kind of leadership. That's the space where Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders lives. Hosted by Chris Deferio, this podcast digs into the real, often unspoken challenges faced by owners, managers, and aspiring leaders in the specialty coffee world. Each conversation moves beyond abstract theory to deliver concrete, usable strategies you can apply directly to your operation. You'll hear from a diverse range of voices, including seasoned coffee professionals and insightful experts from other fields, all focused on the practicalities of building a thriving business. Episodes tackle the full spectrum of running a shop, from daily systems and financial health to fostering a positive team environment and developing your own skills as a leader. The aim is to provide a genuine resource for growth, whether you're looking to refine your barista program, improve your shop's profitability, or scale your vision thoughtfully. Tune in for honest discussions that equip you with more than just inspiration-they offer the tangible keys to building a better, more sustainable coffee business. This podcast understands that your passion is for coffee, but your success depends on mastering the craft of leadership.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders
Podcast Episodes
SHIFT BREAK! Walking Out Effective Leadership and Management [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:08
Leading and managing are only as effective as your knowledge and understanding of the who, what, and why of your cafe. Sadly many people with the title of manager or in positions of leadership are going day-to-day puttin…
619: 4 Mindset Shifts Every Cafe Owners Needs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:38
How we think determines how we act. This is especially true when it comes to pressurized situations like the kind that we find in a busy coffee shop environment. We talk a lot about leader, ship, tactics, and principles,…
618: Founder Friday! w/ Tim Wendelboe | Oslo, Norway [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:27
It's Founder Friday and I am so pleased to finally welcome the one an only Tim Wendelboe! Tim Wendelboe runs his own roastery and espresso bar in Oslo, Norway where he imports, roast and serve high quality coffees. Apart…
SHIFT BREAK! Start Small [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:44
Seemingly in balance to our episode with Kwame Christian on big swings, we need to talk about small starts! Making decisions about size, scope, and scale of our cafes can set us up for success or it can set us up for dis…
SHIFT BREAK! Are You Holding Your Business Back? Let it Grow! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:11
I had a conversation with a successful cafe and roastery client recently. We talked about delegation and what was standing in the way of them giving tasks and authority to others. It came out that they were worried about…