Q. Your Top 10 list of don’ts advises against “throwing people under the bus,” but what if someone is not doing her job and preventing me from doing mine effectively? -AM
A. If your coworker fails to carry his or her weight, you should first attempt to diplomatically discuss your concerns directly with the individual. Perhaps by trying to determine the underlying reason, you will have “served notice” of your expectations without being threatening. If the situation appears hopeless, you need to seek guidance from a non-supervisor mentor or senior colleague who you trust. In so doing, you will have enlisted one of your supervisor’s peers who can represent your interests without making you look like you’ve thrown your colleague under the bus.