How to Deal With an Overbearing Co-Worker
An overbearing know-it-all co-worker, who interrupts your work and offers unsolicited advice, can take the pleasure out of a job. Fighting with her is an option, but one that is more likely to leave you with a bad reputation at the workplace than stop her behavior. Learn to deal with your overbearing co-worker using smarter techniques without expending much of your energy and emotion.
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Instructions
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Listen to what your overbearing co-worker has to say. Take his advice if you think it's sensible, if not just ignore it. Thank him with something like, "Your suggestion was helpful," if you find his suggestions workable. Sometimes all an overbearing co-worker may need is praise and he will end objectionable behavior. Also Inform him if his suggestion did not work; this way you'll be communicating that while you consider his ideas, you're not a pushover.
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Face her overbearing attitude with sarcasm. If your co-worker displays arrogant behavior by telling you how to do your work, say something like, "Hey Vivian, I did not know that the company was paying you extra salary to think for me. I can now happily leave my thinking and my work to you."
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Fight back without words and confrontation. For example, if the co-worker starts telling you what you should do with your project, stare at him unflinchingly and say, "No, I don't want to do that," in calm, quiet tones.
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Have a private discussion with your co-worker and tell her how her behavior is affecting your work. Act professionally by stating facts in a calm, strong voice instead of becoming angry. Plan your future interactions with the co-worker depending on her reaction to the meeting; limit your interactions to as much as required for your work if she turns hostile.
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References
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