Dealing with a difficult Manager and Coworker

[Mode1]

First of all apologies in advance if I have posted in the wrong section of the forum. I couldn't find a relevant section in the forum to post this to.

How does one deal with a manager that constantly comes to you and asks for updates to a point where its impacting your work. What exactly would you say without sounding aggressive or confrontational ?

Another issue I have is a co worker who is constantly moaning about how bad members of the team are. How would politely tell them not to continue talking about this anymore ?

Many thanks,

K

 

[Bri]

Hi K, I havent been on this forum for a long time and was a regular contributor, Came in this morning for a browse around.There is no real answer to your dilemma other than being forthright in a polite manner. Suggest to your manager you have a morning brief to outline the goals for the day, meet again just before lunch to provide a morning update and where your'e likely to be by the close of business for the day.This should take no longer than 10 mins and should free you up to concentrate on the tasks in hand. Secondly, your colleague needs to know that your not interested in gossip and there is no other way than being honest with them.

 

[eldirect]

A quiet honest word is usually best.

 

[justguy]

Find out why he/she is not able to do their work without the information they ask. If it is tangential to their responsibilities, suggest that a weekly update might be the best place to cover the issues.

If they are actually lacking meaningful data they need, then you might consider your own communication methods and question if you are giving out the information your managers need.

Either way, I would also ask him/er if they have considered the effect of asking so often for updates on your own schedule. Tactfully say you are grateful for their obvious desire to be on top of everything but wonder if there is a better way to achieve it.

I am also assuming the act is ignorance rather than malice - if the latter, you have a whole pile of different poo to deal with.