151 Quick Ideas to Deal With Difficult People

47Don’t Undercut Your Managers

When Josh agreed to take over a temporary supervisory position, the department head told him to lean on a star salesman to submit his expense reports on time. The salesman was notoriously late, and the finance office would complain to the department head. The same week Josh got his marching orders, he called the salesman and urged him to make every effort to comply. The day before the expenses were due he phoned him again and reminded him of the deadline. The salesman hung up the phone in a huff and complained to the boss that Josh was too pushy. The boss told Josh to ease up. Josh gave up.

Assignment

If one of your managers has a meeting with a troublemaker, drop in to lend your support to the supervisor.

Your ...