[Patricia]

I work with someone who is very competitive and seems to try to one up me all the time. I am competitive by nature so it really bothered me that this was happening and my first instinct was to compete back, but that doesn't make for a good working environment. Now I try to ignore it and just go about my business, but it still gets my back up a little when it happens. Urgh! How do you handle this type of situation?

[Robin Holtson]

Hi Patricia,
Ignoring them is the most effective way of handling the situation (that's my personal opinion). I have "venting buddies". Whenever the need presents itself, we're always there for each other. And, if necessary, plan an after hours wine tasting to decompress!

Robin

[Patricia]

I hear ya and I do the same. Thank goodness for those we can vent to. I recently took a workshop on Dealing with Difficult People and the facilitator told us we should try and see what the pay off may be for them to act that way. Do they get you riled up, does it get them out of work, etc.

That is the good thing about networking with other assistants. They can see the situation objectively and give advice based on logic rather than frustration.

Thanks.