I’m about to handle somebody who thinks we’re good mates, however we will’t be
A reader writes:
I’ve accepted a administration function in a brand new group my firm has arrange. My coworker additionally utilized for the function (unbeknownst to me on the time). She was not supplied the job, however was supplied one of many group roles so now I might be her supervisor. I discovered this out earlier than her and was initially involved that she is perhaps upset, however the reverse downside has occurred: she is delighted and is telling everybody that if it wasn’t to be her, she would have wished it to be me as we’re so shut and nice mates. She can also be saying that our group might be wonderful with each of us on it.
I’m not a really demonstrative individual however she is. Up till now, I’ve been fantastic together with her suggesting hugs when she’s glad or certainly one of us has a birthday, and so on. I wouldn’t have described us as any nearer than any of my different colleagues, however I feel she feels in another way. Beforehand it appeared imply to make this clear because it wasn’t inflicting an issue.
I’m involved that until I nip this within the bud earlier than we begin our new roles, we are going to each find yourself wanting unprofessional, different members of the group might be upset at our being “shut” (in keeping with her), and she or he goes to get a horrible shock in relation to efficiency administration. She is nice at what she does and I feel she might be an asset to the group, however I wish to sensitively deal with this so she doesn’t grow to be defensive or lose face.
I reply this query — and two others — over at Inc. at the moment, the place I’m revisiting letters which have been buried within the archives right here from years in the past (and typically updating/increasing my solutions to them). You can learn it right here.
Different questions I’m answering there at the moment embody:
- Am I being a scrooge about my worker’s lunch break?
- Consumer needs to observe our work in a bizarre and invasive method
