Franke James is Editor/Founder of Office-Politics.com and Inventor of the Office-Politics® Game.

Peter R. Garber has worked as an HR professional for over 25 years and is the author of many business books including: Winning the Rat Race at Work and 100 Ways to Get on the Wrong Side of your Boss.

Dina Beach Lynch, is an Ombudsman, Author and former attorney. An award-winning mediator, Dina served as the Corporate Ombudsman for the 7th largest bank in the US helping over 48,000 employees to resolve workplace issues.

Dr. Rick Brandon is CEO of Brandon Partners. He has consulted and trained tens of thousands at corporations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries.

Dr. Marty Seldman is one of America's most experienced executive coaches. His 35-year career includes expertise in executive coaching, group dynamics, cross-cultural studies, clinical psychology, and training.

Arnie Herz, is a lawyer, mediator, speaker, author and consultant nationally recognized for his practical and inspired approach to conflict resolution and client counseling.

Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian. John is currently located in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, working with Canada's aboriginal communities.

The girl is recently promoted. Now everything the girl does is wrong according to guys...

Franke James, Creator of the Office-Politics Game responds, "It's not surprising to hear that the promotion of a 'girl' to a senior position over these two guys is causing all sorts of jealousy and feelings of inferiority. But rather than just stand back and scratch our heads let's try to come up with some solutions."

March 2006

Dear Office-Politics,

Three supervisors report to me: each has 15 workers 2 guys 1 girl.

The guys are on shift and the lady is on days so her time overlaps both their days. The girl is recently promoted. Now everything the girl does is wrong according to guys

A previously reasonable man stormed out of a meeting because the girl complained one of his reports refused to help with an urgent problem. It was an urgent problem and it was obvious that he should have helped. I was amazed he refused. He was an old timer and would have known it had to be done and done now, his supervisor was offsite and the lady was in effective control of all people.

When I asked the supervisor to explain and discussed the issue he saw immediately that he was wrong and apologised. But he could not explain his irrational behavior. The girl was in the office in tears. This does not work on me, but I take it as an indication that she is upset.

The Supervisor refused to discuss issue with worker who refused to help...still thinking about this myself....probably I will have to intervene...even though I know it could make things worse. The other male supervisor....previous history hot tempered and quick to flip....stood in the middle of the office and abused the girl with foul language in front of all the workers..............He is now facing serious repercussions and I have to question his professional ability...........Despite his volitile nature he always kept it together....reserving the explosions for one to ones with me.

Why can't people sit down and discuss things..................is it just me or .????

Puzzled

Dear Puzzled,

It's not surprising to hear that the promotion of a 'girl' to a senior position over these two guys is causing all sorts of jealousy and feelings of inferiority. But rather than just stand back and scratch our heads let's try to come up with some solutions.

First let's recognize the mental pain these guys are feeling. Perhaps they've been at your company for many years, and thought that they were in line, through seniority, and one as on old-timer, to be 'top dog'. Then smack -- along comes this girl who snatches it all away from them. How cruel! This is a mortal blow to their egos.

Realistically, her promotion is probably the right thing for the company. But still it doesn't hurt for us to understand what the guys are going through, and try to give them a way to 'save face'.

What people love is recognition and having a voice. The woman in this case has both. They have none -- witness the yelling, abusive language, humiliation of the girl and refusal to help.

Is there a way for you to recognize what they contribute to the company? Does the 'old-timer' have good advice or tips that could be mentioned in the company newsletter? Could they be asked to lead some new project? Where is their value? Draw it out. I can throw out suggestions, but you are in a much better position to think of concrete ways that these 2 guys can be given some respect (even though they did not show respect to the woman and one still needs to be disciplined). Only by allowing them to 'save face' in the organization will things get back on track.

Thanks for writing to Office-Politics.

Regards,

Franke

Franke James, MFA
Creator, The Office-Politics Game