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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.

A new employee joined our team... The problem is, she's quite chatty! In fact, she could probably fill up 2 solid hours without taking a breath.

Betsy Raskin Gullickson, Co-author of On the High Wire: How to Survive Being Promoted, kindly answered the Office-Politics letter below. As a Certified Integral Coach, Betsey provides professional and personal coaching, through Prescient Leaders and in private practice.

July 2005

Dear Office-Politics,

A new employee recently joined our team. I get along well with her and the odd time we'll socialize outside of the office. The problem is, she's quite chatty! In fact, she could probably fill up two solid hours without taking a breath...

I certainly don't mind spending a few minutes chatting with coworkers during the day but, after a certain point, I need to work! Not only do I have piles of work to do, but I also don't want to portray that kind of work ethic. Our boss does not work in our office, so she is not aware of what goes on day-to-day. How can I nicely cut off the conversation at an appropriate time without looking curt or rude?

No Chatty-Cathy


Dear No Chatty-Cathy,

You are accountable for whether you are curt or rude, not for whether someone else thinks you are.

Every new employee needs to spend more time listening than talking – to learn not only the explicit demands a position, but the implicit corporate culture: “how we do things around here.” With your work ethic, you can be a good role model to your new associate. Demonstrate how to focus on what’s appropriate in each moment – on work: when it’s time for work, on friendship: when it’s break time. Be consistent and patient, like water on stone; have confidence in the new person’s ability to get the idea.

And if she doesn’t, stay true to your employer – and to your values. Thanks for writing to Office-Politics.

Betsy Raskin Gullickson
Co-author, On the High Wire: How To Survive Being Promoted
Consultant / Executive Coach


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