If you’re interviewing for a new position, that might be the question on your mind.…
John Borrowman, CPC
Borrowman Baker, LLC
Gallatin, TN
Sometimes it doesn’t feel like others are pulling their weight. Is there anything you can do about it?
Ask, first, whether your judgment is fair. After all, your point of comparison is you. And like the client who is biased about his company’s value, you can be opinionated about yours.
Get past the subjective. Focus on the specific impact on your performance. Did you miss a deadline because of this person? Did you have to stay late because someone else left early?
Sometimes the problem is as simple as the co-worker who regularly lingers to chat. The co-worker who is there for a work-related conversation will have it. The one who isn’t needs to hear you diplomatically set boundaries. Referring to needing to get work done avoids the sting of personal insult.
If there is a specific impact—especially if it impeded service to a client—use that as the foundation for action. Connect the failure to keep a delivery promise to unhappy clients, to lower profitability and bonuses.
It’s not easy. But it’s excellent training for leadership because you will have to deal with people like this throughout your career.
John Borrowman
