Women at Work

Getting Along with a Passive-Aggressive Gossip


Listen Later

Lynne has a colleague in a different department whose work is interdependent with hers, and he’s been surreptitiously encroaching on the scope of her role. He’s also been criticizing her behind her back. During their regular one-on-one meetings, he says everything’s fine, and he never mentions the work he’s doing that falls outside of his responsibilities.

When she raised these issues to him, he changed the subject. Lynne worries that the ongoing bad-mouthing and overstepping are damaging her reputation. What should she do? What should you do if you find yourself in a similar situation?

In this episode, Amy G talks with Lynne and recommends tactics for her to try. By the end of the episode, Lynne has a clear way forward and knows what she needs to do to improve her working relationship and protect her career.

Resources:

  • Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) by Amy Gallo
  • How to Handle Office Gossip … When It’s About You,” by Joseph Grenny
  • How to Deal with a Passive-Aggressive Colleague,” by Amy Gallo
  • How to Navigate a Turf War at Work,” by Amy Gallo
  • Sign up for the Women at Work newsletter.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Women at WorkBy Harvard Business Review

    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8

    4.8

    1,348 ratings


    More shows like Women at Work

    View all
    HBR IdeaCast by Harvard Business Review

    HBR IdeaCast

    247 Listeners

    The Look & Sound of Leadership by Essential Communications - Tom Henschel

    The Look & Sound of Leadership

    1,161 Listeners

    The McKinsey Podcast by McKinsey & Company

    The McKinsey Podcast

    378 Listeners

    Coaching for Leaders by Dave Stachowiak

    Coaching for Leaders

    1,458 Listeners

    Cold Call by HBR Presents / Brian Kenny

    Cold Call

    195 Listeners

    Dear HBR: by Harvard Business Review

    Dear HBR:

    745 Listeners

    Worklife with Adam Grant by TED

    Worklife with Adam Grant

    9,274 Listeners

    After Hours by TED Audio Collective / Youngme Moon, Mihir Desai, & Felix Oberholzer-Gee

    After Hours

    1,264 Listeners

    The Modern Manager by Mamie Kanfer Stewart

    The Modern Manager

    188 Listeners

    HBS Managing the Future of Work by Harvard Business School

    HBS Managing the Future of Work

    108 Listeners

    The Anxious Achiever by Morra Aarons-Mele

    The Anxious Achiever

    572 Listeners

    Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques by Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart

    Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

    766 Listeners

    Coaching Real Leaders by Harvard Business Review / Muriel Wilkins

    Coaching Real Leaders

    643 Listeners

    Business English from All Ears English by Lindsay McMahon

    Business English from All Ears English

    80 Listeners

    HBR On Strategy by Harvard Business Review

    HBR On Strategy

    81 Listeners

    HBR On Leadership by Harvard Business Review

    HBR On Leadership

    142 Listeners

    New Here by Harvard Business Review

    New Here

    76 Listeners