Difficult People

Resolve conflict in person, not in email

The co-worker in the next cubicle hums all day. Yesterday your boss dressed you down in front of the entire team. Another admin has been griping about the same issue for a week. In every case, it would be all too easy to ignore the problem, or avoid confrontation by sending an email. But in every case, a live conversation is the better solution.

Why you should not ignore sexist jabs

Studies show how hesitant people are to challenge offensive or sexist comments. But psychologist Heidi Grant Halvorson says there are at least three good reasons to confront someone making lewd or sexist comments—despite the fear of retaliation:

Who's really a deadbeat?

One reader didn’t agree with some of the “8 signs you work with a deadbeat” in a recent article. “I think some of the items did not necessarily have anything to do with being a deadbeat and many signs that do were left out ... "

Firing back to a rude emailer

When a jaw-droppingly rude email arrives in your inbox, here's how to react: 1.  Draft the email you wish you could send. 2.  Start with, “Thank you.” 3.  Volunteer to get on the phone. 4.  Call her out.

8 signs you work with a deadbeat

Deadbeats suck the life out of every­one around them. They may sometimes be hard to identify, and they’re even harder to publicly label once found. According to the blogger behind “HR Fish­bowl,” you’re a deadbeat employee if you:

5 signs your boss is clueless

Experts say many bosses are clueless about how they come across to employees. Five signs your boss may be one of them:

If you had 3 wishes, what would they be?

If you could wave a wand and change things about your job, what would they be? In honor of Administrative Professionals’ Week, April 25-29, we’re sharing a list of the top three wishes that could make a difference in your workplace—and how to take the first steps toward change.

When a peer tries to make you look bad

If a colleague tries to sabotage you in front of the group, here's what you should do: 1. Don’t approach someone for a discussion until you can think rationally. 2. Immediately address issues. 3. Stand up for yourself in a professional manner. 4. Wrap up on a positive note. 5. Report back to your boss.

Standing up to the bully boss

After 20 years of being a secretary, writes one administrative professional, she knows how to do the necessary work. That hasn’t kept her current supervisor or her supervisor’s boss—both women—from berating and intimidating her. The admin asks, “How can I learn to stand up for myself in a professional manner?”

How to push ideas past naysayers

Nearly every office has a person who shoots down ideas before they even get off the ground: the naysayer who always pinpoints the reason your idea won’t work. The only way to defeat a naysayer is to be ready for her. Know how to respond to every one of the blockades she puts in your way.

Quick Search

Advanced Search

  • Reply to this week's question:

    Get Weekly Forum Updates

Tools

Articles