Dear Seniors,
One of the executives reporting to me is becoming more arrogant day by day, and now she has started saying NO to tasks as well. Please recommend what should be done. I have already conducted two counseling sessions, but they have been of no use. I have tried to identify the problem, but I believe her ego and the number of years she has spent in the company are causing issues.
What do you all think? I am looking forward to your replies.
Regards,
Ruchi
From India, Gurgaon
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One of the executives reporting to me is becoming more arrogant day by day, and now she has started saying NO to tasks as well. Please recommend what should be done. I have already conducted two counseling sessions, but they have been of no use. I have tried to identify the problem, but I believe her ego and the number of years she has spent in the company are causing issues.
What do you all think? I am looking forward to your replies.
Regards,
Ruchi
From India, Gurgaon
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I would suggest that you should sit with her and directly tell her about her behavior. Sometimes it is important to show your authority so that discipline is maintained in the office. No matter how senior one is, when it comes to official matters, no one can say no to a task assigned to them, unless the task is not related to the employee. Talk with her and explain the consequences she will face if she continues to be arrogant.
I suggest that when you assign her a task, it should be in writing. This way, you can also issue her a warning letter if she refuses to comply.
From Pakistan, Karachi
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4I suggest that when you assign her a task, it should be in writing. This way, you can also issue her a warning letter if she refuses to comply.
From Pakistan, Karachi
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Hi Ruchi,
This situation arises in every organization. Leave it as it is for a while. First, make her comfortable by showing her that you take care of her. Support and appreciate her for all the good things she does. This will really motivate her, and she will change her mind soon. Then, your counselling sessions may work, and you can guide her in whatever way you prefer. Give her more responsibilities and new assignments where she can feel that she is learning new things from you. Provide her with a comfort zone.
This is one way you can handle the situation.
Regards,
Priya
From India, Madras
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This situation arises in every organization. Leave it as it is for a while. First, make her comfortable by showing her that you take care of her. Support and appreciate her for all the good things she does. This will really motivate her, and she will change her mind soon. Then, your counselling sessions may work, and you can guide her in whatever way you prefer. Give her more responsibilities and new assignments where she can feel that she is learning new things from you. Provide her with a comfort zone.
This is one way you can handle the situation.
Regards,
Priya
From India, Madras
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Hello,
You may need to find the reason why she is saying "NO" to you. Is it because of you or the task? If it's you, you probably need to find out from her if she finds it difficult to work with you or if there was a situation where she felt hurt - anything from the past that keeps bothering her. You may need to let her know that in personal life, you may not mean anything to her, but in professional life, you do have a relationship that should also run smoothly for success. Only if you know the reason will you be able to stop her from being frustrated.
If it's the work itself that she is frustrated with, then you know best how to sort it out. If things are still not getting better, I think you need to let her know that she has to do the work assigned to her and can get in touch with you if she has difficulty in completing it. And if she says NO, ask her to give it in writing and the reason why she can't do it.
Thanks,
From India, Madras
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You may need to find the reason why she is saying "NO" to you. Is it because of you or the task? If it's you, you probably need to find out from her if she finds it difficult to work with you or if there was a situation where she felt hurt - anything from the past that keeps bothering her. You may need to let her know that in personal life, you may not mean anything to her, but in professional life, you do have a relationship that should also run smoothly for success. Only if you know the reason will you be able to stop her from being frustrated.
If it's the work itself that she is frustrated with, then you know best how to sort it out. If things are still not getting better, I think you need to let her know that she has to do the work assigned to her and can get in touch with you if she has difficulty in completing it. And if she says NO, ask her to give it in writing and the reason why she can't do it.
Thanks,
From India, Madras
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Hi,
If you don't want this problem to spread all over, just start ignoring her. Whatever you communicate with her should be in written form, and whatever communication you want to receive from her should also be in written form. Start working as if you don't have that girl in your team. The most important thing is that you should stop thinking about her. Don't try to change this type of candidate; they never will. By ignoring her and focusing on others, I am sure you will have peace of mind, at least.
Harry
From India, Hyderabad
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If you don't want this problem to spread all over, just start ignoring her. Whatever you communicate with her should be in written form, and whatever communication you want to receive from her should also be in written form. Start working as if you don't have that girl in your team. The most important thing is that you should stop thinking about her. Don't try to change this type of candidate; they never will. By ignoring her and focusing on others, I am sure you will have peace of mind, at least.
Harry
From India, Hyderabad
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Hi Ruchi,
This is a common problem faced by every lead and manager with their executives, mostly happening in medium-sized companies with flat hierarchies. In fact, in my early stages, I faced this problem, and slowly I overcame it.
I would suggest you make her understand reality and communicate mostly officially and in writing to ensure you have a track record of her work. Try to spend time with her, understand her concerns, and gain more clarity on whether it's the job or the person that is causing her to say NO to tasks.
As a lead or manager, we need to understand their concerns and make them feel that we are there to help them. Ignoring them will only make things worse, leading you nowhere.
I assume she is older than you and feels she has more experience in the company. One thing I would like to emphasize is very simple: people respect and are committed to work when you respect individual feelings and attitudes.
Assign her some challenging tasks where she feels competent, and then help her understand the reality.
It may take time, but you will see the difference, as it worked for me. In my team, I have a couple of people working under me with more experience than mine, and I can still manage them without issues.
You need to change her mindset. Simple!
Seniors, please advise and help Ruchi.
Regards,
Lakshman Kodupaka
From India, Hyderabad
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This is a common problem faced by every lead and manager with their executives, mostly happening in medium-sized companies with flat hierarchies. In fact, in my early stages, I faced this problem, and slowly I overcame it.
I would suggest you make her understand reality and communicate mostly officially and in writing to ensure you have a track record of her work. Try to spend time with her, understand her concerns, and gain more clarity on whether it's the job or the person that is causing her to say NO to tasks.
As a lead or manager, we need to understand their concerns and make them feel that we are there to help them. Ignoring them will only make things worse, leading you nowhere.
I assume she is older than you and feels she has more experience in the company. One thing I would like to emphasize is very simple: people respect and are committed to work when you respect individual feelings and attitudes.
Assign her some challenging tasks where she feels competent, and then help her understand the reality.
It may take time, but you will see the difference, as it worked for me. In my team, I have a couple of people working under me with more experience than mine, and I can still manage them without issues.
You need to change her mindset. Simple!
Seniors, please advise and help Ruchi.
Regards,
Lakshman Kodupaka
From India, Hyderabad
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Talk one-on-one, analyze the problem, and try to find out the blind spots (Johari's window). Because all problems come with a solution. Approach her as a colleague, not as a boss. Definitely, you can find a solution.
Regards,
Srikanth
From India, Madras
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Regards,
Srikanth
From India, Madras
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Hi Ruchi,
Follow a step-by-step process to deal with her:
1. First, build a rapport with her not as a boss but as a colleague. Try to understand her problems, discuss with her, and offer solutions.
2. It's tough to counsel senior people, but don't lose hope and make her understand that timely completion of tasks assigned to her would add value to her efficiency as well as the team's efficiency.
3. Appreciate and thank her if she shows positive improvement.
4. If no such positive improvements are shown by her, then communicate with her in writing to build a case against her.
5. Sit with her to discuss her performance.
6. Issue a warning letter in the worst cases.
I hope this would help. :)
Regards,
Niharika
From India, Bhopal
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Follow a step-by-step process to deal with her:
1. First, build a rapport with her not as a boss but as a colleague. Try to understand her problems, discuss with her, and offer solutions.
2. It's tough to counsel senior people, but don't lose hope and make her understand that timely completion of tasks assigned to her would add value to her efficiency as well as the team's efficiency.
3. Appreciate and thank her if she shows positive improvement.
4. If no such positive improvements are shown by her, then communicate with her in writing to build a case against her.
5. Sit with her to discuss her performance.
6. Issue a warning letter in the worst cases.
I hope this would help. :)
Regards,
Niharika
From India, Bhopal
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Hi,
As Niharika and Priya have shown their opinions towards the positive angle of the case, I would like to appreciate your opinion. It is human tendency that a person who has been working for many years does not want to lose the benefits of their seniority.
If you wanted to, try putting yourself in her position. I have also experienced a similar situation at my current job. Even my assistant told me that she doesn't like receiving orders or being shouted at. I took this kind of personality as a challenge, and now she is my best friend after 3 months because I never shouted at her or her work. I always tried to complete the work on my own, so one day she realized that I was helping her in her difficulties and not scolding her for any mistakes. She changed herself and started working with all responsibilities.
Only through Gandhigiri... it affects... let's try.
Ruchi Pandurang
From India, Pune
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As Niharika and Priya have shown their opinions towards the positive angle of the case, I would like to appreciate your opinion. It is human tendency that a person who has been working for many years does not want to lose the benefits of their seniority.
If you wanted to, try putting yourself in her position. I have also experienced a similar situation at my current job. Even my assistant told me that she doesn't like receiving orders or being shouted at. I took this kind of personality as a challenge, and now she is my best friend after 3 months because I never shouted at her or her work. I always tried to complete the work on my own, so one day she realized that I was helping her in her difficulties and not scolding her for any mistakes. She changed herself and started working with all responsibilities.
Only through Gandhigiri... it affects... let's try.
Ruchi Pandurang
From India, Pune
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I think she finds there is not much knowledge sharing, or you might not have given her all the information where she feels she is equal. Therefore, she wants to be independent. Please ask if you want to change the vertical, or else it will affect your career. :)
From India, Hyderabad
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From India, Hyderabad
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