How to turn disruptive energy into productive contribution?

I was once asked a business-related question. A person was running a company where a key employee was constantly provoking or instigating other employees against the management. If such a person is trying to manipulate the environment in this way, what can the management do in such a situation?

Let us suppose that this key person has a 10X productivity capacity that he can contribute to the company. However, the responsibilities he is currently handling require only 2X productivity. This means that 8X of his productivity capacity is not being utilized. Because his abilities are not fully engaged, he may start using that unused capacity in activities that are not productive for the company. His mind, wanting to stay active, may find ways to keep itself busy, even if those ways go against the management.

In such a situation, the management can assign this key person additional responsibilities so that his full capacity is utilized. In other words, they should keep him engaged up to his 10X productivity capacity.

For example, if this person is the Head of the Human Resources department, he can also be given responsibility for the Administration department. Initially, he will take some time to adjust to both responsibilities. But once he becomes comfortable, he may again start using only a small portion of his capacity. At that stage, he can be given another responsibility, such as overseeing the Computer Maintenance department. He does not need to personally repair the computers; he only needs to manage the process and ensure that the work is done through the appropriate team.

What will happen is that as this person receives more meaningful responsibilities, his mind will remain engaged in productive work. His productivity will then be directed toward constructive tasks rather than activities like provoking others. Earlier, his productivity was higher than his responsibilities. When responsibilities are increased to match his capacity, he will naturally focus his energy on contributing to the organization.