How do you handle a co-worker(same level of authority) who disrespects you. I'm the female, he's "the male"?

Question

I am a C.O.O(chief operations officer) against a VP Sales with an ego. I don't jump when he needs something like I do with my boss. He is a whiner and I'm to just "handle the situation". Many sit downs, but no resolution. He does not like to play nice in the sandbox type. It's exhausting and he complains to my boss all the time. I just do my job. How do I detour this from my boss, so he doesn't have to soothe egos so the company can run without dismissing my associate from his position. I'm the company man, he's the company girl(no offensive to women - he's just catty and causes trouble) I'm not the only one he targets - its mainly women. How can I get to a respectable level without causing my boss to have an ulcer - We NEED to work together.

Answer 1

Paper work, Paper work, Paper work...

#1. Require that all project requests be in written form, that it is discussed what the objectives and timelines are, negotiate the agreement, both of you sign it. (Obviously not for minor day to day things) This works both ways, his requests to you, your requests to him.

#2. All signed project requests are also submitted to your boss, as informational only. This will allow your boss to see the projects that are being worked on, and that you are negotiating agreed upon terms.

#3. Follow-up. Plan a weekly meeting with him, sit down with all open projects quickly review status, make adjustments. Write down the results of follow-ups, and again, submit to the boss for informational only. (wink, wink)

#4. At the conclusion of every project, during your Follow-Up meetings, both of you sign off the conclusion of the project, and again, submit to the boss for informational only purposes.

#5. YOU must drive this process.

One last note: He is a SALES person, and we all know how SALES people are... lolz.. In all honesty, sales people are paid to whine, to badger, to be a royal pain in the.... They are the customers advocate in your company. Most of the time Sales and Operations are at opposite sides of the fence, it goes with the territory. Sales people HATE being pinned down to the process I just outlined, but it's a necessity. Sales people are going to want to change schedules constantly, change the rules at a moments notice, to get new exceptions, etc...Because they are paid to satisfy the customer, not Operations.

I work in and out of many, many businesses as a consultant, and I'll guarantee, the description you're giving fits to some degree in almost every company I walk into. Pin him down, make him document, because what a sales person said today, is not what he meant tomorrow.

Sorry sales people...those comments aren't meant as insults, but actually as complements. Keep fighting for your customers, that's why we all have jobs, because you SELL.

I truly admire a good consultative sales person, they are a blessing to all of us.

Answer 2

To be willing to work together, all parties have to be willing to participate in the process and focus on collective goals. That's not a decision you can make for your colleague, and frankly if you've already done your part to try to resolve this - it's entirely up to him now about how to resolve this.

If everyone in the company sees you as you describe yourself and he has the reputation amongst the company as you mention, sooner or later his time has to be up if he is becoming a speedbump for the company's progress. As you said, you are doing your job and it seems that's all you can do. It seems this is in your boss' hands now.

Answer 3

Cant they gt them frm shelters?? they arent soo poor they cant even afford the shop branded pads/tampons that are lyk 80p ($1.50)

Answer 4

This site helped me
http://www.student.uit.no/~paalde/revenge/Scripts/PLA003.html

And remember-NEVER threaten! Why warn your intended victim that you are going to get even? When bad things begin to happen to your victim - wether or not you caused them - your victim will remember your threat, and he or she will set out to even the score with you!

Answer 5

get his home number...take him to a motel and call his wife to meet you there. give him a problem to work on besides you ladies at the office.

Answer 6

See if you have a resume of his on file and post it on monster.com

Maybe he will get some offers