A study Inc.com covered on Nov 4 suggests the worst employee on a team can have more influence than the best one.
I've watched a version of this. We had people who were very sensitive and easily offended. We handled it well. But it stuck with me how fast one hurt feeling could take over a room, from someone with no leadership role.
Nobody did anything wrong on purpose. Leaders got careful, and careful turned into guarded.
Here's what I'd do. Take the hurt seriously and find out if there's a real struggle underneath. Often there is, and it deserves a fix.
Then keep the decision with the person accountable for it. Listening is not the same as handing over the wheel.
Your team will follow the strongest feeling in the room unless a leader is clearly steering.
Responding to A New Study Suggests the Worst Employee on Your Team Might Have More Influence Than Your Best, Inc.com