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Moodiness

Here are the questions filed under this category. To read Ken's advice on any item, click on the link "Read Ken's Answer."


I have an employee who does a good job, but all of us have to walk on eggs when we deal with her. If something goes differently from what she wants, she can instantly become very difficult. How do you deal with someone like this?
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Q. We have noticed that our boss seems preoccupied lately. She has been making mistakes and has missed a few appointments, and she is more impatient than she used to be. We don't know if we should just let her work out whatever is going on, or if we should talk to her about this. What do you think?
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I work with a nasty and condescending co-worker. No matter what I say or do, he always gets upset, criticizes me, and tries to make me feel stupid. He wants everything done his way, and if it's not, he gets furious and then he sulks and hardly says a word. How do you work with someone like this?
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I assumed my manager liked me. She has always been friendly to me, and my reviews have been positive. The other day, for no reason, she said I'm not promotable and that I'm just a follower. I was speechless. Now she's nice to me again. Should I say something?
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We are in sales and our company has a very grumpy receptionist who answers the phones. She is short with the callers, always in a huff, and by the time the call gets to us, the caller is upset. We have mentioned this to the receptionist's supervisor and even to management, but their attitude is that she is doing just fine. What can we do about this?
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We have an employee who walks around with a scowl on his face and a chip on his shoulder. The staff complains about him, but everyone knows he is one of our most knowledgeable employees. We have talked to him about his attitude, but he looks at us as if we have the problem. How do we deal with him?
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My boss runs hot and cold, and it is impossible to know how he is going to act when we meet with him. He can be abusive, and he can be charming and friendly. Just when you think you have won him over, he can be your worst enemy later that day. How do you deal with someone like this?
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We have an unpredictable employee in our department. One moment she is friendly, and the next she is very nasty. We never know how to deal with her, so we are constantly walking on eggs. We have talked to her about this, but nothing has changed. When we told our manager, he said we should work it out ourselves. How can we?
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I am a legal secretary, and my boss is often moody, rude, abrupt, impatient, and unfriendly, and gets very defensive if I even hint about any of this. He said he does not have to apologize to me because I am not his wife. I am doing a good job, and it is hard to find another job. Any advice?
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