| March 28, 2016 | Issue No. 207 |
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Have you ever had someone try to throw you under the bus or sabotage your work? As you know by now, I tend to look at the glass of life as half full versus half empty but there are times when I put my positive spin on life to the side long enough to uncover the not-so-nice side of humanity. So, what should you do if someone tries to sabotage your work? Great question for this week's newsletter!
Great sleuthing,
P.S. Back by popular demand, I will be offering another Supervisor and Manager Boot Camp this May 10-12 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Click here for more details http://dianeamundson.com/seminar/ |
Two Faces Are Not Better Than One
"Some do not learn you to earn you, they learn you to burn you." Justin K. McFarlane Beau
It happened to me. I was a new boss in an office where I had only one other employee. This seasoned employee may have been upset that he did not get my job and so I found out years later he would try and throw me under the bus at every chance he got with my boss. One week into my new job and he would call my boss and say, "She doesn't know what she is doing!" Thankfully, I had a boss that would let me continue working into my second week. A short time later this employee was terminated because he was dishonest on how he was spending company time. So what do you do if a co-worker throws you under the bus? I have a few insights to share:
- Take a deep breath and wait 24 hours. This is always my first suggested step when you are in a conflicting situation. Breathing and paying attention to your breath while waiting will create the space necessary to act rationally versus emotionally.
- Gently pull the person aside that has been rumored to sabotage your work by letting them know you are on to them, even and especially if, they deny it. Ask them what part of your work they don't value. In this case, you may actually learn something to help you grow even if the way you discovered it was hurtful. Let the person know that you do not appreciate the way they handled the situation and to come to you directly next time they have an issue.
- Reach out to your boss to reduce the damage. Let her or him know that you understand someone did not like your work and why you feel it was quality work. Listen quietly for your boss's reaction to gauge the seriousness of the situation. Assure them that you are on top of your work and appreciate their continued confidence.
- Document the situation(s) if they happen more than once. If you find one person continually does this to you, begin to take careful notes of the situation and when it happened. This could be an example of hostile work environment and your careful notes will come in handy if your boss does not respond and you need to reach out to human resources.
Question for You:
Have you had anyone tear your work apart without your knowledge? Have you ever discovered through an email thread someone speaking disparagingly about you to your boss or others? Are you the one throwing others under the bus?
Action for You:
Finding out someone you thought you trusted is undermining your position and work can be a alarming. The first step is to take a deep breath and wait one day before you react to allow your rational mind to kick in. Find a quiet place to discuss this situation with the one sabotaging your work so they know you will not just sit quietly and let this occur. Also be open to critique from this person if it allows you to grow and improve. Finally reach out to your boss and let them know you are aware of the situation and gauge their reaction. Reassure them that you are competent and committed to quality work and will continue to earn their trust. Finally, document this situation and others in case you feel your co-worker is creating an environment that undermines your productivity.
"Managing your emotions doesn't mean you don't express yourself; it means you stop short of hurting others and sabotaging yourself."
Sue Fitzmaurice
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About Us
Diane Amundson is the owner of Diane Amundson & Associates. She has been training, speaking and consulting for over twenty three years in the areas of leadership, generational diversity, team building, networking, conflict resolution, coaching and strategic planning. She has worked with Fortune 500 Companies like General Mills and Pepsi Cola along with numerous school districts in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She has co-authored a book titled Success Strategies: A High Achiever's Guide to Success. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and has served as Adjunct Professor of Organizational Behavior at Winona State University.
She is a Rotarian that has traveled the world on humanitarian projects in Mongolia, India and Brazil.
Her style of speaking is informative and highly interactive.
Diane Amundson & Associates Phone: (507)452-2232 Fax:(507)452-0090 24456 County Road 9 Winona, MN 55987 |
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