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Dear Preston,

Last year, I received an amazing offer to work alongside a very well-known designer. To say it was a dream-come-true is an understatement. The work is fulfilling and I love what I do. The problem is that a few of our colleagues are making it very hard to get things done. Sometimes it feels like they actually try and sabotage a few of us! The  blame-shifting, competition and buck-passing has caused costly delays and moments when I have looked unprepared in front of my boss (and clients) as a result of someone else not doing what they needed to do. It’s not only infuriating, but it causes so much added stress to each day that I am not sure I can handle another year of this. I tried to speak to them, but was met with arrogance and disregard.

I want to talk to my boss about this, but don’t know how to approach her without sounding like a tattle-tale. What do you suggest I do?

-Not Playing Fair

Dear NPF:

First, I want to let you know that I can sympathize with how stressful it must be to go into a job you love and want to do your best only to feel limited by someone else.

If there is one thing I know about running a company, it is that Hillary had it right: It does take a village, and every person in that village (or company) must participate, support and work in a synergistic way. High School taught us that not every personality type will want to be best friends, but adulthood requires that we all work together respect one another, and do our part to not only get the job done, but to do it to the best of our ability. Since this is such a dynamic industry, a block (or in your case, several blocks) must be addressed immediately; they can literally crash a company.

I would not be anxious about your boss. In fact, I feel you owe it to her to be honest. She has hired a staff she counts on and trusts, and she counts on and trusts you to let her know if there are issues working against both productivity and a pleasant work environment.

I would suggest you sit down and thoughtfully write out what your concerns are, give a few examples and try and come up with solutions to the problems you are facing. It’s one thing to whine and “tattle” as you put it and quite another to try and work towards a greater good.

Dear Readers: How would you go about this situation? How would you let your boss know you’re having issues with some of your colleagues?

Blessings,

Preston

Photo Courtesy of IMDB