A reader writes:<\/p>\n
\nI would love some feedback\/advice on how to deal with a difficult coworker in a different department. We work with this department to handle legal matters for our group, so we have to liaise with them sometimes.<\/p>\n
He is a terrible communicator. Every time we meet, he goes off on long, irrelevant tangents that are the same or similar every time. We usually have a lot to cover in these meetings, and I don’t like to waste time when things need to get done.<\/p>\n
At our most recent meeting, he had rescheduled several times and then at the last minute decided to call in instead of attending in person (so I was already annoyed). After being asked simple, direct questions, he started talking about something that was not relevant. In the middle of his monologue, I interrupted him and said, “Thank you, but I’d like to keep going, we have a lot to cover.”<\/p>\n
We moved on, but we could tell he was disappointed, and two of my coworkers in the room later told me I shouldn’t have done that. He is senior to me and his role is really important, and I don’t want to be rude. But I also don’t want to sit in countless meetings where things don’t get done because this person can’t do their job effectively. help!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
I Inc. today. I’m answering this question here, where I’m revisiting letters that are buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating\/expanding their answers). You You can read it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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