Five Effective Ways to Deal With an Office Control Fanatic
“I wouldn’t do that. Why don’t you try this? What are you doing? It is not right. Do not do this. Do it “. Sounds familiar? These are all phrases that you probably have heard of the notorious madman on the control in your office. And although you have somehow managed to keep moving without breaking, you are approaching the end of your rope dangerously close.
This post was originally published on the Muse website .
Whether you have a boss obsessed with control or a ridiculously overbearing colleague , we’ve all had to work with someone who has a my way or the highway attitude. Of course, dealing with this person isn’t easy, but it’s also pretty much inevitable.
So take a deep breath. You will definitely be able to endure this person without constantly clenching your jaws and clenching your fists. Here are five steps to help you not only deal with this controlling coworker, but also do a great job in the process.
1. Recognize pure intentions
When you’re dealing with someone who seems to want to control every little detail of every single project, it can be difficult to view him or her as more than an intervention and a nuisance. But, recognizing the positive qualities of this person’s work ethic will make working with him or her at least a little easier.
Let’s face it – this person probably isn’t behaving in a way that intentionally annoys you or makes your job difficult. Instead, he is simply incredibly passionate about his work and wants it to be as polished and professional as possible. This dedication makes him a great employee, even if his approach is a little overwhelming and annoying.
Of course, while it’s great to recognize and appreciate the enthusiasm and drive of this control freak, that doesn’t mean that he or she can dictate every part of every project. But making an effort to acknowledge that his or her motivation is good will make the next steps easier.
2. Ask questions
How do others in your office usually react to this assertive and bossy colleague ? Does anyone ever say something? Or does everyone just roll over, not even standing still?
Chances are, if that person is still giving orders, very few (if any) people in your workplace have attempted to refute those demands. So, instead of just accepting the direction and criticism of that person and then muttering to yourself, it’s time for you to encourage thoughtful conversation about the progress of your project.
How do you do this? Following his requirements, asking questions. Let’s say your interfering colleague spies over your shoulder while you are writing a report. She immediately intervenes and says, “You are not structuring the report correctly. Do it like this! “Finally, say something like,” I know we don’t have a standard template for these documents. This process suits me very well, but I would like to hear about the benefits of your method. “
She may be a little confused by your assertiveness, but she will have no choice but to explain her reasons and start a dialogue about the project. Who knows, maybe she even has some great ideas that you can use. Plus, adding a few snippets of her feedback will help calm her down. Bonus!
3. Express your opinion
We all know that control freaks tend to think their methods and tactics are better than everyone else. But you still have the right to autonomy and independence. So if you strongly disagree with his or her direction, feel free to talk about it.
If the controlling person you are dealing with is a colleague of the same level as you, it will probably be easier for you to do this. Explain why you chose the process you are using, but don’t feel compelled to justify your every choice. It only opens up a whole new can of worms, making it look like you need a stamp of approval for everything you do. Ultimately, if you are working on this part of the project, you have the right to approach it however you see fit.
Things get a little tricky, however, if your boss is a control freak. Of course, you can still share your ideas and opinions. But it’s probably better to tell them, “I started doing it this way because …” If your reasoning is correct and still yielding the desired result, your boss will have a harder time answering, “Well, do it my way nonetheless. way. “However, the final word on how you handle is ultimately your manager. So you may just have to accept that and move forward by following their instructions.
4. Avoid controversy
Trust me, I know dealing with a control freak can be really frustrating. And sometimes he or she finds himself so blinded by the belief that a productive, balanced conversation becomes nearly impossible.
But at all costs, you want to avoid heated debates . If it becomes obvious that you are not going to agree, then it is time to leave. I don’t need to tell you that yelling at each other will get you nowhere.
5. Request for mediation
When it becomes obvious that you simply will never be able to agree on something, it’s time to enlist some help. If you are on an equal footing, where neither of you has the upper hand or the last word on the project, you need to contact your superior leader to resolve the situation.
Yes, it seems a little childish and you would like to avoid this step at all costs. But, if you are not making progress, this is important. Make an appointment with your boss or supervisor where you and the other person can present your case. Your manager can then decide which method he thinks is best, or even take pieces of both of your ideas to reach a compromise.
Regardless of the outcome of this meeting, you need to make a decision and move forward. So that means you can’t stick out your tongue and defeat your colleague. It also means you don’t have to mumble to yourself if things don’t go the way you want them to.
I was totally there – fighting the perversion of control over your office comes with a fair amount of fighting, headaches, and stressful moments. But it is definitely doable. So take a deep breath, follow these steps, and get ready to deal with this person in a balanced and professional manner.
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