Engage!

Uncommon Business Advice for Common Business Problems

Welcome to Engage! the business advice column.  Each week we answer questions our readers send in for our consideration.  To submit your questions, write to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  We will do our best to answer your question within a few days.  Obviously the information presented here is not legal advise.  Furthermore, actions you take based on what you read here, are your own responsibility.  Now let's solve some problems.

My coworker is a slacker. She surfs on the internet, spends the day dealing with personal business, takes long lunches, and often calls in sick. It makes me crazy that she is allowed to collect a check for doing nothing and nobody seems to do a thing about it. I am not her boss, but what can I do to make her change?

Rocker Tom Petty told the truth when he sang "the waiting is the hardest part." Slackers almost always eventually get caught - just not on your time schedule. Your slacker already has a boss, and as much as you would like to coach, counsel, or question her sanity, that's not your role. Your job is to sit back and watch the free fall happen while at the same time leading by example and hoping your rebel without a clue has a change of heart.

If that advice does not strike a chord with you, let me encourage you to ask yourself why your coworker's behavior is occupying your thoughts to the point of making you crazy. If it is because "it's not fair," I know how it feels, and I have some bad news. Life is rarely fair to all people at all times.

You must focus on yourself and the work you are doing. Now that's not to say if the slacker's Facebook habit has caused you do to extra work, you should just suck it up. On the contrary, you should address that problem.

The key to doing this well is by focusing on the work: "Jane, I want to talk with you about the projects I am working on. I am concerned that there has been a breakdown of some sort and our clients are not getting our team's best effort, and I think you could help by clarifying for everyone who is supposed to do what."

With some planning and patience on your part, it will all work out.

My officemate has the most disgusting habit. For whatever reason, he thinks it is okay to clip his toenails and fingernails at work. His desk is right next to mine. I find the clicking sound and flying nails revolting. I have dry heaved more than once while listening to it. Please don't suggest that I just get up and leave when he starts to take off his socks. I am required to answer the phone, and this is not a practical suggestion. Help!

What a callous callus you have for an officemate. Why people think major personal grooming is okay in public places is a true mystery. However, you are not the first person to write in with such a problem. Our files are full of similar complaints. The good news is that you have several options to choose from.

You can cut to the quick, "Matt, nail cutting is one of those things that should be done at home. Please take care of your grooming there and not in our office." Although, I suspect that if you were comfortable with that type of approach, you would have taken it already. So let me offer an alternative.

You might say instead, "Matt, is there somewhere else you could do that? For whatever reason, nail cutting really creeps me out." In this softer version you are focusing on how you feel. Sometimes this is easier.

The possible snag here is that he still may not get it. However, you are not the etiquette police. Your objective is to avoid watching or hearing Matt clip his nails. Your goal isn't to shape him into a well-mannered person (nice as that would be).

Regardless of the approach you choose, remember to avoid snippy behavior and act like the polished professional that you are by not telling other people about Matt's habit or how you dealt with it.