Karren Brady gives career advice from disliking a colleague to feeling undervalued at work
BOSSING It columnist Karren Brady is here to solve all your burning careers questions.
Today she helps out a woman who dislikes one of her colleagues and gives her advice on what to do when you feel undervalued at work.
Q: I work for a small team within a large company and I really dislike one of my colleagues – so much so that I’m starting to dread going to work. From the moment I joined the company eight months ago, she seemed to be against me and is always trying to put me down. How can I manage the situation?
Lisa, via email
A: Don’t let this person control how you feel about yourself and your job, and don’t allow her to make you dread going to work. This is your career – don’t let her take that away from you.
You may be feeling stressed and asking yourself: “Have I done something wrong to upset this person?” But people take against others for all sorts of unfathomable reasons. So try to just accept she maybe doesn’t like you, as this is the only way for you to get control back of the situation.
Now you need to work out how to move forward. Focusing on the resolution and not the reason behind the behaviour will make you feel a lot calmer. You might want to clear the air with her and say: “I sense there is some tension between us, and I want to ensure that we can have a good working relationship, so if I have done something that bothers you please tell me.” You may get the answer you want, but she may just deny there is a problem.
Another option is to discuss the situation with a colleague or manager and ask them to step in and help. Whichever you decide, you need to remain professional, calm and respectful. Don’t stoop to her level – force this colleague to raise her behaviour to your higher level.
Be a boss
BOSSING It is Fabulous’ series about ordinary women who have launched incredible businesses. It aims to inspire other women and show that if these ladies can do it, so can you!
Read more here.
Q: I’ve loved working for the same company for 28 years. Recently, though, our CEO and another senior manager left and I feel lost. My role is changing now that I have a new manager, and I worry I’m being edged out. I can only see two choices: ask for a package to leave, or continue to feel undervalued. Do you have any advice?
Lori, via email
A: I think you have a third option. Speak to your new bosses and tell them how much you have contributed to the company’s success, giving details and examples.
Tell them how you would still like to be making the same contribution under their leadership. Show them you are someone they really need to hold on to. Sometimes a new boss might be as intimidated by you as you are of them – you were part of the old, successful management team, after all.
most read in fabulous
If things don’t improve, you could get in touch with your former boss and ask for their advice, or think about joining them if they have started working on a new business.
And don’t be afraid of quietly looking for jobs elsewhere – if there is something better, you might decide to take it – but don’t give up this job until you have a better one to go to.
If you do find a new job, negotiate the biggest settlement you can from your company (you’ve given them 28 years’ service!).
- Got a careers question you want Karren to answer? Email [email protected].
Compiled by: Claire Frost
Karren cannot answer emails personally. Content is intended as general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.