How did you handle it? Was there any favoritism? Did they get away with behavior and actions that anyone else could never get away with? Saving Changes...
Not directly related - but heavily favoured due to a certain set of circumstances (nothing nefarious, just coincidental).
The person did get away with behaviour that would be frowned upon if conducted by the general public - but to their credit, it wasn't purposeful display of such behaviour. The person is actually pretty nice to know and pleasant to be around with.
At the end of the day, though, I maintained a professional relationship at work and made every discussion about the due tasks.
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1 reply by Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
Mar 12, 2018 11:32 PM
Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
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Karan, it sounds like that person was walking the thin line without going over too much.
Not directly related - but heavily favoured due to a certain set of circumstances (nothing nefarious, just coincidental).
The person did get away with behaviour that would be frowned upon if conducted by the general public - but to their credit, it wasn't purposeful display of such behaviour. The person is actually pretty nice to know and pleasant to be around with.
At the end of the day, though, I maintained a professional relationship at work and made every discussion about the due tasks.
Karan, it sounds like that person was walking the thin line without going over too much. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
I have not, though, worked with individuals that were clearly 'taken care of' and 'protected'. It makes for a difficult, and even toxic, environment. I was fortunate to not have been directly affected, but nonetheless, it made for an uncomfortable atmosphere.
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1 reply by Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
Mar 13, 2018 7:24 AM
Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
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Andrew, I know the feeling. In my previous country's projects, there was always a son, nephew, aunt or something and they almost always got special treatment. It was unfair to the resources I managed. When the customer is the person who got them the job, well it becomes especially difficult.
I've seen this play out well and poorly. In the former, it did so because of a high degree of integrity from both parties coupled with a strong organizational culture against conflict of interest. In the latter, it didn't because it was a small company, one of the parties was the co-owner and hence his close friend (not a relative but the next worst thing) felt (correctly) that he could get away with anything.
In that latter case, rational discourse didn't work, escalation was pointless, so the only solution was to try to fence the troublemaker in as much as possible to shield the project from his impacts.
Kiron
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1 reply by Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
Mar 13, 2018 7:27 AM
Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
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Krion, yes fencing them in is one option. It's all a very ugly environment though. One that can't be avoided as you noted if the person doesn't have a high degree of integrity.
I have not, though, worked with individuals that were clearly 'taken care of' and 'protected'. It makes for a difficult, and even toxic, environment. I was fortunate to not have been directly affected, but nonetheless, it made for an uncomfortable atmosphere.
Andrew, I know the feeling. In my previous country's projects, there was always a son, nephew, aunt or something and they almost always got special treatment. It was unfair to the resources I managed. When the customer is the person who got them the job, well it becomes especially difficult. Saving Changes...
I've seen this play out well and poorly. In the former, it did so because of a high degree of integrity from both parties coupled with a strong organizational culture against conflict of interest. In the latter, it didn't because it was a small company, one of the parties was the co-owner and hence his close friend (not a relative but the next worst thing) felt (correctly) that he could get away with anything.
In that latter case, rational discourse didn't work, escalation was pointless, so the only solution was to try to fence the troublemaker in as much as possible to shield the project from his impacts.
Kiron
Krion, yes fencing them in is one option. It's all a very ugly environment though. One that can't be avoided as you noted if the person doesn't have a high degree of integrity. Saving Changes...
