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Executive Assistants Beware, Dealing with a Saboteur
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Joan Burge
Joan Burge writes books, lectures, and personally consults administrative professionals and the companies they support and is considered one of North America’s foremost administrative experts. She has worked in the administrative business arena for more than 30 years, with administrators in hundreds of companies such as AT&T, Cisco, Intel, Microsoft, Boeing, Motorola, ConAgra Foods, Kraft, McDonald’s, Allstate, Mayo Clinics, Universities, U.S. Government intuitions, and more. She wrote the praised book Become an Inner Circle Assistant and is the creator and host of the Annual Forum for Administrative Professionals.
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Gloria just finished a temp assignment and experienced an awful case of sabotaging by a peer admin who is a lot younger than her and has been with the company for a year. She asks for information on dealing with a saboteur. Gloria said that she noticed this administrative assistant manages upward and is passive aggressive and well connected in the company where she works. While Gloria has finished her temp assignment, she wants to be prepared should she meet Sally Saboteur in the future.
Well, this is a tough one. The reason I say that is because many of these situations are not black and white; they are usually gray and therefore difficult to give the best possible advice. Here are a few thoughts.
1. Passive aggressive people are hard to identify because they appear nice to you or agree with you and then they are ‘mean’ behind your back. It is very hard to pinpoint those actions or gather facts to support your case. Norma Carr-Ruffino has had some good material on behaviors such as: assertive, passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive. You might want to do a search on the Internet for her material.
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3. Develop being assertive. It is more difficult for an aggressive or passive-aggressive to intimidate an assertive person. Again, there are hundreds of resources on how to be assertive. I believe I have written about this in previous blogs on my web site.
4. As much as you hate to do this, keep in mind, this person is usually insecure and lacks confidence.
What are some of your experiences? How have you handled Sally Saboteur?
Alizuna
about 1 month ago
2 comments
Very interesting article, and like a déjà vu. Unfortunately bullies and saboteurs are around us, and attacking every day. I would say the best defense is to focus on work, deliver stellar results, don’t gossip, don’t try to fit in, just be yourself: because at the end (unfortunately sometimes we have to wait months and years for the results) what goes around, comes around. Have faith in yourself and your ability to overcome whatever is put in your path, because Universe in on your side.
engedi77
about 1 month ago
2 comments
Yea, verily....I am also a temp who experienced this scenario....keep your head up and do your work, as a wise person once said "...our deeds, and words return to us sooner or later, with astounding accuracy." Sad to say, she'll get hers...
wilshirmom
about 1 month ago
2 comments
I experienced a situation like this last year. I tried to stay out of her way but she wanted my job. She was patient as her plan spanned about 8 months. She lied about me to fellow workers. She would take them aside and whisper constantly. I tried not to be paranoid but it was so obvious that one of my long time friends was avoiding me and lunching and socializing with her instead of me. Then I began to get called into the bosses office. Suddenly, simple data entry assignments were entered incorrectly. It's very possible that she manipulated my data and then brought the erroneous errors to the bosses attention. My job paid about 12,000 more per year and I had had it for 8 years. I never had a problem with any data or anyone in the office until she started working.
jaymer7777
about 1 month ago
2 comments
I dealt with a couple of saboteurs most recently. My advice is keep your head down...do your job and DON'T interact with them and don't comment about them no matter how much you are tempted to do so. You are there to impress your boss, not your colleagues. Remember....what goes around, comes around.
brookmole
about 1 month ago
14 comments
I experienced this last year. I found the same result when I finally went to my supervisor. They don't want to address these situations, so they routinely flip the situation and tell you that you are the negative one, or the problem. Passisve aggressive people are really good at making themselves look like the victim. If I had it to do all over again, I would have just continued to swallow the bile, and distance myself as much as possible. Even though this person has done this to at least 5 other people that I know of, he is untouchable, we think because he gives the partners in the firm tickets to sporting events. One person who complained about him was told they should just 'kiss and make up'. If the economy hadn't been what it is, she said she would have walked out.
lorejeans
about 1 month ago
2 comments
I expeienced a similar situation. When I spoke to my supervisor about the person who was constantly "throwing me under the bus", I was told that I was the one who was being "negative". It is very important to work closely with the saboteur even though it may go against your nature to nuture someone like this. In the end, it will help to prevent sabotage and that way you can keep one step ahead of the person trying to do the sabotaging. Be mindful not to ever make any negative comments about that person or to be defensive because it will make you look bad.