http://directorhrjobs.com/how-do-i-deal-with-a-difficult-manager-and-director/ Human Resource Director Jobs Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:02:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 http://directorhrjobs.com/how-do-i-deal-with-a-difficult-manager-and-director/comment-page-1/#comment-2432 dclough Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:44:18 +0000 http://directorhrjobs.com/how-do-i-deal-with-a-difficult-manager-and-director/#comment-2432 Going over someone's head is dangerous and should be a last resort. I was once told to use the 48 hour rule -- discuss the situation in a non-threatening way with your manager (making it clear that a change is needed), and if nothing is done to fix the situation in 48 hours, then go over up one level. Keep doing that until it is resolved. You may or may not have done that, but that is water over the dam... You may not like confrontation, but you need to go to your current manager to discuss this, asking for advice on how to better work with the old director. If the manager is any good and wants to keep you, he'll do something. If the company is larger, go back to the HR person and see if there is another department in the company that would be a better fit. Be aware that this could come back in the future if you and the old director are still there in 5+ years and you've risen to the point where you will work together again. It is best to have a discussion face to face. Sometimes it helps to have the discussion outside of the office at lunch or after work to get on neutral social ground. Going over someone’s head is dangerous and should be a last resort. I was once told to use the 48 hour rule — discuss the situation in a non-threatening way with your manager (making it clear that a change is needed), and if nothing is done to fix the situation in 48 hours, then go over up one level. Keep doing that until it is resolved.
You may or may not have done that, but that is water over the dam…
You may not like confrontation, but you need to go to your current manager to discuss this, asking for advice on how to better work with the old director. If the manager is any good and wants to keep you, he’ll do something.
If the company is larger, go back to the HR person and see if there is another department in the company that would be a better fit. Be aware that this could come back in the future if you and the old director are still there in 5+ years and you’ve risen to the point where you will work together again.
It is best to have a discussion face to face. Sometimes it helps to have the discussion outside of the office at lunch or after work to get on neutral social ground.

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