Ask the Business Coach Joyce K. Reynolds is an expert Business Coach who works with CEOs, Sr. Execs, entrepreneurs and countless others providing knowledge, solutions, motivation and support that assist her clientele in successfully meeting workplace challenges. Find out more about Joyce's coaching practice. Dealing with Co-worker's Rumors Question: How do I deal with a colleague who seems intent on undermining my authority and credibility at every opportunity? One of my coworkers is very unhappy with the new leadership in our organization. In my position, I have to work very closely with our new CEO on many projects. My ability to work well with the new boss seems to have made me a target for this coworker's criticism. She seems to spend a great deal of time spreading rumors and otherwise downgrading both the new CEO and myself. What is the best way to deal with this? Ann Answer: It sounds like resentment and envy are most likely at work with your undercutting colleague. If left unchecked, the resulting negativity can create a nasty workplace environment. The first thing to do is examine your own behavior and attitude. Is your access to the CEO making you feel and act more important than is warranted? Is your ego in balance with the situation? Are you an exemplary team-player? Is there any substance to the rumors? Honest answers to these types of questions may lead you to see that you need to begin with a change of attitude towards being more inclusive and respectful of your colleagues. Of course, immediate correction of any behavior that could give truth to rumors is essential. The next best course of action in resolving conflict is to approach the person directly. Understand that your colleague may be feeling overlooked or coming from a place of low self-esteem. Determine if it would be appropriate in this situation to ask her to lunch or some other neutral place to discuss your concerns openly and honestly. This will give you a chance to hear the actual nature of her complaints. If she agrees to a one-on-one, you will most likely have an opportunity to correct any wrong impressions, reassure her of her importance to the organization and ask her to help you in supporting the new CEO. Let her know that you intend to use your access to the CEO to make him aware of the positive contributions staff members are making. If you can't handle this direct approach, you must take other steps towards diffusing her negativity. One way to achieve this is the find ways to share the spotlight with this colleague. Within her area of capability, get her legitimately involved in new tasks or responsibilities. Ask for her help on occasion. Be on the lookout for opportunities to reinforce her positive contributions. Persist in finding ways to give her good feedback and validating attention. Let her know she is being noticed as a very important part of the team for using her influence with co-workers in a positive way. It will be increasingly difficult for her to maintain her negativity if you are giving her opportunities to improve and get recognition. Also see: • Ask Joyce your workplace questions • More questions • One-on-one business coaching Disclaimer: The information in this column is intended to provide the reader with general ideas or concepts to be used as part of a broader base of knowledge they collect to determine their own best course of action and solutions most suitable for solving their workplace challenges. The information in this column is not guaranteed to be the appropriate solution for each individual.