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.

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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.

I encountered a political conflict which makes my existence at work a true nightmare...

March 2005, Article 5

Dear Office-Politics,

Since my arrival in a new section I encountered a political conflict which makes my existence at work a true nightmare.

My arrival at the section was announced by the director. The head of the section was supposed to get a different position and I should fill in his gap. It turned out that he did not get the job he wanted.

As a result I am currently employed as deputy head of section, supposedly assisting him. So here we are, 2 people in one position. Although this is just a temporary solution, I have found it impossible to get any work done so far. This is mainly due to the fact that, the head of the section does not invite me to any meetings and does not provide me with the necessary information/documents.

I spent an entire week in a new office without the input I require to get the job done. Please understand that at this high level I would feel childish to complain with the director. Plus, I think that would make matters only worse, since the head of the section already thinks I crave his position.

It is my belief that he's scared I will take his job, because the director prefers my record and makes no secret of this.
Additionally my image as a hard worker seems to scare most people around me. I feel like an elephant in a porcelain house.

I need help, I have the impression that the director is waiting for me to solve the problem on my own.

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

Change is always unsettling. Clearly it's leaving you feeling like the ground is moving beneath your feet, and you wonder what to do... No wonder you're feeling a bit seasick.

But letting time pass by without appropriate action could leave you to be seen as 'non-effective, and non-productive' -- in effect impotent. Your colleague is running circles around you by leaving you out of meetings, and the communications loop.

This 'nightmare' for you could wind up as a bad reality unless you take action immediately. What are you waiting for? You are a leader. It is not complaining for you to respectfully ask for clarification of your joint roles and responsibilities. Somebody is paying the salaries, whether that's a taxpayer or a public corporation -- and you need to be able to answer for your time and efforts.

You should protect yourself by keeping a detailed record of your attempts to straighten out the joint roles and responsibilities, e.g. phone calls, faxes, emails, meetings. You will probably need to involve the Director. I believe that taking action is far preferable than being seen 'twiddling your thumbs' waiting for someone else to sort out the mess. They might decide you're disposable.

Good luck. Thanks for writing to Office-Politics.

Regards,

Franke James
Creator, The Office-Politics Game