If you’ve ever watched NBC’s The Office, you know the show makes hilarious use of business-world stereotypes. Granted, the personalities, quirks, and antics of the employees of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Co. are taken to extremes, but we find them funny largely because they’re true. We know that guy—the one who cracks terrible joke after terrible joke, unaware that all he’s getting are eye rolls. We’ve also encountered the sanctimonious perfectionist, the attention-seeking prima donna, the unhelpful duty-shirker, and many others.

Sure, it’s funny on TV… but in the real world, dealing with these characters can make leaders want to pull out their hair or take early retirement. Before you resign yourself to living in your own not-so-amusing TV show, let me offer some commonsense management advice.

First, know that there’s no need for you to waste your time with poor performers or high-maintenance employees who have an inflated sense of their own importance and ability. It’s best to let them know straightaway that they aren’t a good fit for your organization.

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