How to cope with ultra competitive new work colleague

melysion

She has been in the company for about 2 months and junior to me. She is also good at her job, although not as good as she thinks she is. She tries to grab all the work as it comes in and works on everything so fast that often it's fairly sloppy. She is also showing 'brown nosing' tendencies towards our somewhat micromanaging boss. Micromanaging boss things she is wonderful as a result (or at least I feel that she things the new person is wonderful).

The biggest issue as I see it is that the new person is way too confident regarding her abilities and had a go at telling me what to do today. I'm usually a very tolerant, easy going person who tries to see the best in everyone but I know I snapped somewhat when telling her that I didnt need to be told how to do my job. I felt like she was trying to undermine me. I'm very much the opposite to her in that my self confidence is worse than zero so I suppose it's getting to me more than it should. It's making me feel threatened and want to leave a otherwise enjoyable job.

I know that I am good at my job and I've brought in things that no other person in my role has done before but it can be difficult to convince myself of that working in this ultra competitive environment with this over confident, really bossy individual (who otherwise is rather nice!)

Can anyone suggest some coping strategies? The new work colleague won't change her ways of course so i just need to change my reaction to it. All thoughts appreciated!

melysion

Tut. Apologies for the typos (typing this out on my phone)

asajj

I'd have a look at CBT to help with self-confidence, you can refer yourself through the Mind (the charity) to get some free seasons. It helped me before.

Until then, write things you are good at down. It strangely makes you feel better. It can be simple things too like being good at cooking pasta.

Most importantly though, you will need to stay calm and just do your job. You can't easily change yourself either. How is your relationship with your manager?

moneyonmymindsam

Hopefully snapping at her yesterday has done the trick . Don't leave.


Don't worry too much about her abilities as suspect micromanaging boss will assign her a task that is too big for her "abilities" and she will make a sloppy attempt and then MMBoss will come crawling to you to sort ...think Karma and these things do have a tendancy to right themselves over time.


Make sure you value you enough not to leave at the first hurdle and try to look into some confidence boosting exercises for you.


I would crack on with my own job knowing your day will come ...These bossy people do seem to dig their own grave and you sound so good at your job that leaving at this stage seems hasty.


Sorry if that's no help -Just my opinion - wishing you all the best


MM Sam xxx

melysion

Thank you both for your replies. My boss and I get on reasonably well but she isnt a good manager. She is better than she used to be (she has done some training which has helped) but sh isn't the sort of person I can confide in. Plus, because of the new persons background she already considers new person a "cut above" which isn't really fair but there it is.

This new colleague is good - there is no doubt about that - but she isn't as good as she thinks (she has come up with some really stupid remarks and sometimes her work is sloppy). In theory we should work well together as we have complimentary skill sets (she is very data driven, I'm more creative) but it's difficult to create a team atmosphere when the other person doesn't understand that the definition of a team is not to try and undermine others to look the best.

However. I'm going to try and ignore that and just concentrate on my work. I'll also investigate ways of doing something about my self esteem as im sure this isn't helping me to cope with the situation. Perhaps those counselling sessions that are offered though work will help?

PeppaCoin

Definitely take them up on the counselling sessions at work.


She may actually not be half as confident as you think. Some people can fake the confidence when nervous. She might well be trying to do that.


Keep your chin up.

ohreally

You may need to learn to play the workplace politics game better.

Takeaway_Addict

melysion wrote: »

She has been in the company for about 2 months and junior to me. She is also good at her job, although not as good as she thinks she is. She tries to grab all the work as it comes in and works on everything so fast that often it's fairly sloppy. She is also showing 'brown nosing' tendencies towards our somewhat micromanaging boss. Micromanaging boss things she is wonderful as a result (or at least I feel that she things the new person is wonderful).

The biggest issue as I see it is that the new person is way too confident regarding her abilities and had a go at telling me what to do today. I'm usually a very tolerant, easy going person who tries to see the best in everyone but I know I snapped somewhat when telling her that I didnt need to be told how to do my job. I felt like she was trying to undermine me. I'm very much the opposite to her in that my self confidence is worse than zero so I suppose it's getting to me more than it should. It's making me feel threatened and want to leave a otherwise enjoyable job.

I know that I am good at my job and I've brought in things that no other person in my role has done before but it can be difficult to convince myself of that working in this ultra competitive environment with this over confident, really bossy individual (who otherwise is rather nice!)

Can anyone suggest some coping strategies? The new work colleague won't change her ways of course so i just need to change my reaction to it. All thoughts appreciated!

You sound quite jealous to be honest, and seem to only see the negative in people

asajj

I think that's a bit unfair comment - having issues with self-confidence myself, I can say that I can read the post more under that light.

melysion

I'm not jealous. Just lacking confidence.

Loopy28

If the work produced at speed is sloppy, can you pick this up with her in a constructive way? Or discuss this with your manager to indicate that while she is working quickly, her work isn't always to the required standard.

Some people are just naturally very keen and confident. The best motivation and way to deal with people like this is to be successful and good at what you do.

I have worked with many people like this and as much as it frustrates me, I ignore it and just make sure I do a perfect job of all my tasks. People notice this and I have been promoted several times above the over confident types.