INSUBORDINATION AT WORK (RUDE COLLEAGUES)

How do you handle rude colleagues?

Insubordination is a concept that cuts across all levels, ranging from senior levels to junior levels.

It can occur either be from a Senior being rude to a mid-level executive or a junior officer being insubordinate to a mid-level executive. It cuts both ways. Every level of office deserves respect and sometimes some fall foul of the rudeness etiquette.

How do you handle it as a mid-level executive?

1. Be Calm:

No matter where the rudeness (or insubordination) is coming from, one thing you want to be is calm. There cannot be two drivers in a car. So maintain a degree of levelheadedness when handling such situation.

2. Don’t Ignore it:

You are not helping everyone, including yourself when you ignore insubordination or rudeness. Don’t be quick to brush it aside. What if it is actually a problem you can solve? You lose opportunities to learn the root cause of a problem by ignoring or overlooking the rude act. People say ‘ignore it’. It’s the wrong approach. Don’t ignore it because you might be able to solve it to get great results for yourself, for the person and for the team.

3. Bring out your KTA toolkit:

Knowledge: You want to know the reason why he/she has acted that way – is it something you did or did not do? You want to study their background – is this their normal nature or something triggered it?

Tactic: Based on the Knowledge you have gained, it would determine the strategy you adopt. Most likely, your next step will be to invite them for a dialogue.

Action: The action you would take is based on the outcome of the tactic/strategy.

Always employ KTA in dealing with insubordination. It enables you to see the bigger picture and not just the immediate action!

Remember to email: tunde@tunde-talks.com