The New and Improved Working Wounded
How to work with a jerk, criticize your boss and more.
May 4, 2007 — -- Dear Readers: Welcome to the "new and improved" Working Wounded, featuring three "do's" and one "don't." Why change the format 11 years into writing it? Because I've talked about the importance of being flexible since the beginning, and I decided it was finally time to take my own advice.
For additional insight, I turned to the most knowledgeable person I could find, Bob Rosner. This week, in a journalistic exclusive, I interview myself.
Bob Rosner: Give us an example of three "do's" and one "don't."
Bob Rosner: Let me start with a question I'm asked frequently -- how to respond when you're told you're overqualified.
DO -- ask for a definition. Everyone has a different definition of overqualified. They may think you're too expensive, or you'll get bored or that you'll make the boss look bad. Before you can address the person's specific concern, you've got to know what it is.
DO -- show your value. Go into the interview with ideas to improve the business.
DO -- ask for a project. See if there is a problem you can tackle that will demonstrate your skills.
DON'T -- oversell yourself. Consider coming across as less intimidating by not including all your honors and titles.
Bob Rosner: Can you give us another example?
Bob Rosner: If I must. Another popular topic from the 50,000 e-mails I've received -- how to work with a jerk?
DO -- learn from others. Find someone who gets along with the jerk, buy the person coffee and pick his or her brain.
DO -- talk to the jerk. Have you ever hated someone until you actually talked? Start a conversation and you just might be surprised.
DO -- avoid the jerk. If the person really pushes your buttons, then it may be best to just stay away until you regain your composure.
DON'T -- get angry. This is often what the jerk is trying for, don't play into that trap.
Bob Rosner:Why should anyone care about this?
Bob Rosner: Wow, who knew that I'd be so hard on myself. Everyone is under so much pressure today at work. Read a book? How quaint. A list of bullet points is about as much as most of us can absorb in today's turbulent workplace. And I liked the idea of adding one don't, especially in these PC times.
Bob Rosner: One more example?
Bob Rosner: Only if you ask nicely. Another top concern today -- how do you criticize your boss, and live to tell the tale?
DO -- look in the mirror. Are you a respected employee or a slacker or a troublemaker? The criticism you offer needs to take into consideration how people see you.
DO -- bring solutions. Problem-solvers are often valued more than problem-identifiers.
DO -- wait for a good mood. The better your boss's mood, the greater the chance he or she will actually hear what you have to say.
DON'T -- criticize in public. Criticism is potentially embarrassing and should always be done in private. Loose lips have sunk many a career.
[Editors Note: At this point Mr. Rosner stormed out of the room for no apparent reason.]
Thought for the Week
"Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted." -- Anonymous
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Bob Rosner is a best-selling author, speaker and internationally syndicated columnist. He'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic, especially if you have better ideas than he does. His books include "The Boss's Survival Guide" and "Gray Matters: The Workplace Survival Guide." Send your questions or comments to him via: bob@workingwounded.com.
ABCNEWS.com publishes a new Working Wounded column every Friday.This work is the opinion of the columnist and in no way reflects the opinion of ABC News.