How Do You Deal with Someone Who Flip-Flops On You?
We’ve all worked with the type of person before who says one thing and then a day or two later does something entirely different than what they said they would do. In other words, when you use the word ‘waffles’, they start looking for syrup!
How have you learned to deal with such people successfully, especially if you report to them directly or they may be your client?
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PAOLINO MONTANINOExecutive, Head of European ERP Business Application| AVANADERome, Italy, Italy
I think everybody had the "opportunity" to deal with this kind of people.
Now the way I found is:
- clearly write down expectations (what, who, when)
- set a check point (when to check expectations against the agreed list)
This way allows both to avoid "Flip-Flops" or at least to make it clear when it happens. Saving Changes...
You have to get into the habit of documenting everything you do. Not only is this proof against a flip-flopper, but it also helps ward off people who 1) blame you for their mistakes, 2) try to take credit for your work, and 3) insist that you never did your part on a project.
If you have the patience and the social skills, you could also try to call the person out on their behavior (in private of course). They may not realize they're doing it, or that it's having such a negative effect. Saving Changes...
Paolino is right. Documentation is everything. Using someone's words against them is the best approach.
This may be obvious, but documenting in email (or some system with audit tracking by user) is essential. You can write it down and show the person, but if they were really difficult they could say they didn't say that and/or that was your interpretation. Email doesn't lie.
Treat it like a legal situation. What would hold up in court? This does seem excentric, especially when you've described that the person has come through for you at times. But, if you go in with this philosophy and also being empathetic, you'll get the best results. Saving Changes...
