Arguments

Here are the questions filed under this category. To read Ken's advice on any item, click on the link "Read Ken's Answer."

	I do not mind it when my employees disagree with me, and I am more than willing to discuss issues with them and change my thinking. The problem is that I have one employee who always argues when he disagrees with me. It is never a calm discussion. What's the best way to handle him? Read Ken's Answer
	I work in residential real estate sales, and after my partner and I closed a very substantial deal, he gave me an expensive necklace. When my husband saw it, he became upset and said that it was inappropriate and I should give it back. I want to keep it. What do you suggest? Read Ken's Answer
	I work with a nasty and condescending co-worker. No matter what I say or do, he always gets upset, criticizes me, and tries to make me feel stupid. He wants everything done his way, and if it's not, he gets furious and then he sulks and hardly says a word. How do you work with someone like this? Read Ken's Answer
	My manager and I are miles apart on political issues, and we have had some heated discussions over the past few months. We have fundamentally different opinions, and I am concerned that this is going to interfere with his assessment of me. If he opens a subject, I cannot sit in silence. What do you suggest? Read Ken's Answer
	We have an employee who walks around with a scowl on his face and a chip on his shoulder. The staff complains about him, but everyone knows he is one of our most knowledgeable employees. We have talked to him about his attitude, but he looks at us as if we have the problem. How do we deal with him? Read Ken's Answer
	How do you deal with an employee who does a good job, but whenever there are changes, errors, or anything even slightly different from her way of doing things, she starts arguing? We have talked to her about this, but she doesn't change. Read Ken's Answer
	We work in a small professional office, and a new associate was just hired. He is bright and obviously competent, but his values and political views are diametrically opposed to mine in many important areas. The problem is that he is always ready to debate, and he has an answer for everything. I don't want to go through this every day, and I don't know how to stop it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Read Ken's Answer
	After a very upsetting meeting with my boss, I walked out of his office and muttered an expletive about him that no one was supposed to hear. He heard it, wrote me up, and warned me that if I don't change my ways, I'm out. I don't think it was fair to be punished for something he was not supposed to hear. What do you think? Read Ken's Answer
	The owner of the small company where I work is wonderful, but we have all noticed that he is more forgetful, short-fused, and argumentative in the afternoons. We know that he has a drink or two at lunch, and we think this is part of it, but none of us want to tell him. How should we handle this? Read Ken's Answer
	I have a co-worker is very argumentative and opinionated. If I go to lunch with him, he argues about everything, whether it has to do with work or not. He gets louder until you go along with him. How do you deal with someone like this? Read Ken's Answer
	I lead a team of twelve Customer Service Representatives, and there is one rep who constantly ignores instruction and has an excuse for every error he makes. He is confrontational, unprofessional, and causes disharmony among the other team members. Many of them have voiced their concern about him, especially his temper. He has strengths, but his weaknesses and attitude far outweigh them. I have told my manager about his performance and inability to mesh with the others, but management seems to want to keep him and develop him. What can I do short of termination? Read Ken's Answer
	I had a healthy disagreement with the owner's son. He is a difficult person who comes in whenever he wants and then issues orders. I told him why something could not be done his way, and he barked at me and I barked back. I'm sure he told his father. Should I say something or let it go? This kid has troubles with just about everyone here. Read Ken's Answer
	I was on a committee that is chaired by a senior manager, but I disagreed with several of his ideas. He insists on having everything his way, and now the committee is still meeting, but I am not invited. I liked the other people on it, and I would like to be on it again. How can I do this? Read Ken's Answer
	I am on a taskforce that is working on longer term goals and strategies for the company, and there is one individual who has a contrary opinion to everything the rest of us agree on. No matter what approach we take, he seems to pride himself in criticizing it and pushing for things to be done his way. How do you deal with someone like this? Read Ken's Answer
	Two of my co-workers do not get along, and whenever our manager is out, which happens often, they start arguing. I don't want to be branded as a person who runs to the manager whenever there is a problem, but this situation is upsetting everyone in the office. What should I do? Read Ken's Answer
	One of my fellow managers charged into my office and started ranting and raving about how one of my employees made some mistakes and caused his employees to be late on our joint project. I barked back at him, and I knew immediately that was a mistake. What is the best way to handle this type of situation? Read Ken's Answer
	I have an employee who gets very defensive when I give him feedback. He argues over everything I tell him. How do you deal with someone like this? Read Ken's Answer
	I have a co-worker who constantly finds fault in all of us. She brings up petty stuff to management, and she yells at other co-workers, is very confrontational, and becomes angry at the drop of a dime. This past weekend she purposely pulled a stunt that caused me to get written up. I’ve tried to resolve conflicts with her personally, and I’ve talked to management about her, but they almost seem afraid of her. What can I do now? Read Ken's Answer