Managing someone with a big ego

Detroit

It can be very difficult to accommodate to a role with lower status, and equally challenging to work with others after lone working. This doesn't mean it's impossible, but it sounds like fairly early days for your colleague, who may just need more time to adjust.

The success of his integration will depend largely on whether his arrogant behaviour is based on genuine feelings of superiority, or whether it's a reaction to temporary discomfort in his new circumstances.

Unfortunately, many people display this type of behaviour as a reaction to feeling a lack of confidence.

If this is the case for your colleague, he may settle as he finds his feet and realises he is a valued part of the team for his input, not because he constantly tells people how great he is.

If his arrogance is genuine, and this continues to impact on the workpiece, this is a bigger problem, and one management will need to address.

Either way, I think your own approach should be the same. Treat him as you would everyone else.

If everyone does their own shredding and he tries to get reception to do it, calmly point out 'we do our own shredding here'. Support your less assertive colleagues to do the same.

If he dominates discussions, politely thank him for his input and say you would also like to hear from other people, then turn the attention away from him.

I would be hesitant to adopt the idea of going out of your way to ask his view. If he is genuinely arrogant there is a danger you will reinforce his self view. 'Pioneer always comes to me, they'd not have a clue without me' etc.

I would give him no more or less attention than you would anyone else. If he thinks he is special, the last thing you want to do is collude with that.

However, do resist any urge to put to him down, however tempting. Unsurprisingly, people who behave disrespectfully to others are the first to complain at any hint of affront to themselves

Your colleague is no more, or less, important than anyone else, and your behaviour towards him should demonstrate that.

Ja7188

Good point regarding the shredding - it's probably in his job description to safeguard the company's confidential information. It also takes less time to switch on a shredder than it would to engage in a dispute around whether or not it's his job to do so...