How to Deal with a Bossy Co-Worker

Being in a situation where your coworker treats you as if they are your boss can be a little tricky. While you don't want to create conflict in the workplace, it is important to let your pseudo boss know that you are able to work independently. There are plenty of ways to accomplish this without being confrontational. It may take a while for them to get the hint, but if you follow this advice you'll find that bossy coworker will slowly back off.

First, determine if this person just has a bossy personality type or is genuinely trying to help you. If you are new to the company, they may just be trying to help you succeed. Once you've been there awhile, they may even back off on their own. In this case, by politely saying that you're familiar with the process they will learn not to bug you about that particular job aspect again. If it's good advice, take the advice and move forward. If it's bad advice you can simply tell them that their way is not the way you've been told by the boss, trainer, etc. and continue to do things the way you were told. You can say this nicely, "Gee Mary, that sounds like a great idea. Are you sure that's right? Tom told me I should be doing it this way. Maybe I should go double check". This let's the person know that you're not discounting their advice, but also lets them know that they are not your boss.

Do your job right. I know this may sound like obvious advice. But, if you're doing your job the way it's supposed to be done, your pseudo boss won't have anything to criticize you about. If they're asking you to do extra work, unless the boss has chosen them to delegate on their behalf, realize you don't really have to do it. If this person has taken it upon themselves to delegate, take part. If they ask you to do "A", you can bounce back with, "Okay and while I'm doing "A", you can do "B". That will surely get things done faster. Great idea Sue!" Delegate back. If they're asking you why certain things didn't get done and it's no concern of theirs, tell them you have your priorities set with the boss.

The worst thing you can do is create conflict by snapping back. Smiling and saying you are aware, you got it and you already did that works well. Realize that some people have a need to feel important. As much as you don't want to hear this advice, appeasing them may be the best solution. Seeing you frustrated may make them worse. If you're not giving them an argument, they will eventually stop. Besides, they're probably being menial anyway. If you don't complain, you may find they'll start picking more heavily on other people. Prepare yourself for a professional response the next time they boss you around. Avoid sarcasm. Avoid whining to the boss and complaining to other coworkers.

The best thing you can do is not let it affect you or your work performance. You don't want the boss to see you in conflict. So, avoid it as much as possible. Most jobs are stressful enough. Train yourself to become immune and move on. Also, realize that it's probably temporary. People get moved around within companies often. They'll also move on to other companies and careers. You'll find that the problem may eventually remove itself.