AboutJoan Schramm Expertise I can answer questions about handling difficult bosses or co-workers, motivation, team-building, and just getting along in an organization. I am also an expert on conflict resolution and communication as well as other issues dealing with business relationships.
Experience Joan is a professional Coach and the founder of Momentum Coaching, www.achieve-momentum.com. Her experience is from over twenty-five years of business leadership, training and coaching.
Organizations Coach Training Alliance, Coachville, Attractionville, 247 Coaching, Solo-E
Publications Many of my articles have appeared in local newspapers and online at sites like www.ezines.com, www.marketingseek.com, www.articlecity.com, www.exactseek.com and others.
Education/Credentials BS in English
MS in Human Resource Management
Certified Coach through the Coach Training Alliance
Question We hired a new receptionist who doesn't really need the income and is older than I am. She has lots of money and wear clothing and jewerly to prove it. Unfortunately, I am supposed to be her supervisior but I can tell she thinks she is smarter than I am. I know she isn't.
She recently got told to make sure she goes and comes for her lunch on time. All hell broke out and the payroll manager defended her and didn't agree with the new rule. I disagreed with the payroll manager and now guess who's the one in trouble. Me, that's right!
How do you deal with two women who always think they are right? When they are right I agree but when they are wrong I point it out and they don't like that.
Answer Are you "supposed" to be her supervisor, or ARE you her supervisor?
If you're her supervisor, you have every right to dictate her lunchtime timing and you have every right to hold her accountable if she doesn't meet those standards. Her motivation for taking the job, her clothes and jewelry, and whether or not she is or isn't smarter than you have nothing to do with it.
If you're not her supervisor, then you don't really have any input into her lunch hours, work performance, or anything else. And pointing out things that other people are doing wrong (especially when they're not your responsibility -- like the payroll manager) doesn't make for a very nice workplace environment.
The bottom line is, if you're the manager, then manage. If you're not, then concentrate on your own work and leave the rest alone. If you need some help developing management skills, read some books on management and get some training so you can learn how best to handle situations that come up. As a start, I recommend Shaun Belding's book "Winning with the Employee from Hell".
