How to deal with with a bad co-worker in a small company?

[mikegg]

Yup, see title. Basically, he's a worthless sack of shit, doesn't know anything, barely knows what the company is selling and he's the director of sales. You know, he's that one bad co-worker that everyone has.

Uses, "sup man", "hey buddy" to address customers. I believe half of potential customers never call us back because of his terrible etiquette.

Not only that, he's purposely trying to embarrass me in email chains with the CEO. Telling me that it isn't my job to do this and that even though the CEO instructed me to do so.

So how should I deal with his mofo?

 

[Gibsons]

Throat punch.

 

[Ns1]

mutiny or escalate.

 

[88keys]

Tell him off, and make sure you're in company. Don't ever take shit from a co worker, especially one that cant do their job.

 

[Garet Jax]

Yup, see title. Basically, he's a worthless sack of shit, doesn't know anything, barely knows what the company is selling and he's the director of sales.

Uses, "sup man", "hey buddy" to address customers. I believe half of potential customers never call us back because of his terrible etiquette.

Not only that, he's purposely trying to embarrass me in email chains with the CEO. Telling me that it isn't my job to do this and that even though the CEO instructed me to do so.

So how should I deal with his mofo?

Sales is about making a rapport with the client. Some require professionalism and some require a more relaxed attitude. The director of sales may be playing up the client the way he has determined makes the most sense.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Fire his sorry ass

 

[CrackRabbit]

Find another job, quit, and laugh as your former company goes down in flames.

 

[mikegg]

Sales is about making a rapport with the client. Some require professionalism and some require a more relaxed attitude. The director of sales may be playing up the client the way he has determined makes the most sense.

I agree with you but we're dealing with fortune 1000 to fortune 100 companies. This guy hasn't signed anyone in 3 months. I've been sitting in sales calls to back him up because he doesn't know anything about our products. Whenever I hear him say "sup man" to another company executive in an introductory sales call, I could hear the momentary silence and shock... even I cringe.

 

[mikegg]

Find another job, quit, and laugh as your former company goes down in flames.

That's my plan A. We're only 4 people in the U.S. office including the CEO.

The CEO is the nicest, most laid back boss I've ever had. Hands down the best boss I've ever had.

I hate to see the company go down in flames because we're not signing more customers.

In a small company, everyone counts. It's just deflating to work hard knowing that someone else isn't doing his job.

 

[God Mode]

Crowbars.

 

[Ns1]

That's my plan A. We're only 4 people in the U.S. office including the CEO.

The CEO is the nicest, most laid back boss I've ever had. Hands down the best boss I've ever had.

I hate to see the company go down in flames because we're not signing more customers.

In a small company, everyone counts. It's just deflating to work hard knowing that someone else isn't doing his job.

If your CEO is cool and you are on good terms I would go over the Sales' guy's head and speak directly to the CEO.

 

[HN]

Take a screenshot of his desktop, hide all his desktop icons, and then set the screenshot as his wallpaper.

:whiste:

 

[dbk]

So I'm assuming he's your immediate boss? I would take it directly to him. If that doesn't work, go to the CEO.

 

[mikegg]

So I'm assuming he's your immediate boss? I would take it directly to him. If that doesn't work, go to the CEO.

No, he's "director" of sales. CEO is my boss. But really, "director" doesn't mean much in a 4 person office.

 

[dbk]

No, he's "director" of sales. CEO is my boss. But really, "director" doesn't mean much in a 4 person office.

U should just go directly to the CEO then

 

[Doppel]

Honestly this is a hard situation. Even if a person is abjectly incompetent it can be very difficult indeed to go over his head and have the people above him deal prudently. Tread carefully. Avoid anything in writing and realize that you could still be working with him a while from now so you don't want anything said that would be very awkward later unless you're ready to ditch if things don't go your way.

 

[mikegg]

Honestly this is a hard situation. Even if a person is abjectly incompetent it can be very difficult indeed to go over his head and have the people above him deal prudently. Tread carefully. Avoid anything in writing and realize that you could still be working with him a while from now so you don't want anything said that would be very awkward later unless you're ready to ditch if things don't go your way.

Thanks for the advice. I've been holding back. I think I'm going to give this another month or 2 and see whether the CEO catches up. If not, I'm outta here.

 

[Ns1]

Thanks for the advice. I've been holding back. I think I'm going to give this another month or 2 and see whether the CEO catches up. If not, I'm outta here.

If you're already working on an exit strategy there is zero harm in going directly to the CEO with your concerns. IMHO

 

[Texashiker]

Pepper spray and stun gun usually work

 

[Ruptga]

Thanks for the advice. I've been holding back. I think I'm going to give this another month or 2 and see whether the CEO catches up. If not, I'm outta here.

You would rather walk away from a good job and boss than try to fix the situation? You definitely want to be respectful and professional, but that doesn't mean you're not allowed to speak unless spoken to.

 

[mikegg]

You would rather walk away from a good job and boss than try to fix the situation? You definitely want to be respectful and professional, but that doesn't mean you're not allowed to speak unless spoken to.

I almost feel like a it's a double edged sword.

It's not hard for me to find another even better paying job. I like the experience I'm getting here because I work with Fortune 500 executives on a daily basis.

If I go to my boss and tell him what's going on, it won't make this guy become a more competent worker. The best case scenario is if he gets fired.

If he gets fired, that means I'm basically "stuck" to this company. If I leave several months later after I get him fired, it'll look bad on me.

 

[Doppel]

Thanks for the advice. I've been holding back. I think I'm going to give this another month or 2 and see whether the CEO catches up. If not, I'm outta here.

On several occasions I have only barely by the skin of my teeth held my tongue regarding a couple of co-workers and both times I've been very glad for it, one very recently. No matter how crystal clear a situation seems to you--and in fact is (my recent event was over a guy proving over multiple months [via email] he's inept and even lying to me)--it doesn't mean you'll still get what you want.

Politics can make people do stupid things. Particularly if Boss 1 has hired Boss 2 into his position it's always going to be very difficult to get Boss 1 to deal with Boss 2 even when Boss 2 absolutely deserves it. It's a tightrope you cannot always stay on trying to more or less call out Boss 2 but also staying on his good side since you have to keep working with him (which is basically your situation now).

So my only advice is it's tricky and if in doubt whatsoever, don't hit that send button. Hopefully somebody else has more concrete advice than this, though!

 

[Ns1]

n/m.

 

[Fern]

I'd go to the CEO.

Since it's such a small office I assume the CEO is the owner. Discuss your concerns, ask for him for a shot at signing up some clients. If he's the owner he won't care who brings in the business. If you get an opportunity to get sales make sure he agrees you work with him (CEO) to close the deal otherwise the Director will screw it up and blame it on you.

Fern

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

Make it an issue to up his sales etiquette game. It might stir up some anger, but he could possibly become a better sales person out of it.
Doesn't this also cause embarrassment for you & the company as well? Rectify the issue quick.