We have a new colleague in our department and she’s been trying to boss everyone around. She doesn’t really know how to collaborate, it’s all just orders from her. Apparently, she’s the same at home with her husband and daughter. But I can’t work like that. How can I handle this and make it clear that our team thrives on calm cooperation, not military-style commands?

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  • Phyllis Goode

    1mo
    Best answer

    Try talking to her one on one. You may be surprised there may be some fear or she operates that way due to her parents expectations. If that be the... case the team should try to have her create her agenda and let each team member introduce the topic for discussion by creating an open engagement. Either way a team should not have to be lead by one person. It is a lot of pressure. She probably just needs to learn how to share and that the team doesn't think she's weak,, maintains respect and learn a new leadership style more

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  • The new employee may come from a cultural back ground that is imposing .The team could be pragmatic in dealing with such a colleague.I would imagine... the new employee is looking for recognition may be during interview time she was given a heightened compliment which gave her a false ego .This may border on her communication skills , her education leveletc.I also think the induction process would have highlighted the need for respect of others and Co operation.On the other hand is the team feeling inferior in any way. ?Why would the entire team feel the same.It ends up looking like gossip that has looped all the employees in because of being territorial. more

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  • is she in charge of the department? then find a different job. if she's not in charge, and she's not over you, go talk to your boss about her.

  • communication is always the key regardless if she don't listen still have a conversation because its needed and sometimes people bring things in from... home and that's a no work is for work and mistreating is a no for me  more

  • Tell her it's a workplace not her home & you are all there for same purpose that is to work not to be baby sitted

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  • I had such a boss almost insatiable. Unfortunately also a she. Fortunately recently I was moved to a different unit of the department

  • The one-on-one advice is sound. A good deal of sage advice all around. Also, offering food (maybe lunch or an item of outreach) is a good way to get... cooperation to ingratiate your co-worker. She is having challenges adapting to your work culture. more

  • I don't know what "boss everyone around" means in practice.
    What source of power or influence does this individual really have? If she has no... organizational authority over you, then all she has is the power of her personality. So perhaps she is being loud or aggressive and not cooperating with others. Most mature adults aren't going to respond positively to that. So, if you and your colleagues choose to not reward her negative behaviour, it will likely be just a matter of time until she discovers the law of diminishing returns in her relationships with colleagues. And that should become evident when she sits down for a performance review with her supervisor, assuming her supervisor is paying attention. It's unlikely that manipulative tactics that work with family will get a free pass at the office (unless she is being protected by someone higher up the office hierarchy.) If the message isn't getting translated to her by her supervisor -- who should be coaching her on a regular basis during her probationary period, perhaps your supervisor will consider having a chat with her supervisor.



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  • Is she Asian?

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  • You're handling a tough dynamic with admirable grace. A directive style often stems from insecurity. Instead of confronting her, model the tone you... want: when she gives orders, respond calmly—“Thanks for the suggestion; let’s talk this through and align as a team.” This redirects without conflict.
    Privately, you might say, “You’re clearly decisive, which is a strength. We tend to collaborate informally to stay flexible—I'd love your thoughts on that.” Framing it as an invitation fosters respect. And if she resists change, your steady example will still uphold the team’s cooperative culture---a culture worth protecting. Good luck!
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  • Is she in the same level just like all of you in the department? I imagine there is a way how work should flow that's each one performing his or her... duties. If she's just a team member like everyone else in the department then you could discuss this issue respectively in the team building meeting and if she's the head of the department still you can still bring this up in a meeting without attacking the person. Please avoid discussing her out office life { home affairs}. Please, try to exercise a lot of common sense and emotional intelligence you will be surprised and happy to see how this individual is one of the best team player in the department. more

  • stay calm and talk to her. Let her know team work works better and everyone knows their job

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  • Stand your ground,saying "no" in a calm quiet way is a powerful way of correcting someone. Teamwork requires alot of trust and communication in order... to run smoothly and effectively. All members of a team must have respect for each other. more

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  • Sometimes, some of you are not honest, you just ain't ready to take in a new addition. She may have sensed that there is no acceptance, and the team... members show some negativity, and she just had to grow tough so she isn't being disrespected, or her efforts are not being sabotaged.
    If you want her to be cool-headed, you need to show her true kindness, respect, attention and accommodation.
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  • In society, each with his or her personality. Just and just learn her because everywhere, there are such personalities. Just learn yo live her.

  • You better nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand

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  • Totally agree it sounds like she's moving from a fear based platform

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  • Try talking to her one on one. You may be surprised there may be some fear or she operates that way due to her parents expectations. If that be the... case the team should try to have her create her agenda and let each team member introduce the topic for discussion by creating an open engagement. Either way a team should not have to be lead by one person. It is a lot of pressure. She probably just needs to learn how to share and that the team doesn't think she's weak,, maintains respect and learn a new leadership style more

    6