Dear Sue: I am having difficulties with a coworker who happens to be a friend of the troublemaker she replaced. She has been identified as a troublemaker herself.
She admitted to me people had told her negative things about me and that others were betting we wouldn’t get along. She also said that that neither of us is as bad as people make us out to be. I was offended by her comments.
After hearing she was bad mouthing me to others, I approached her and told her I felt tension between us and asked if I had done anything to offend her. She informed me that she felt tension from me. She said she feels there is a division on our team and that there is not enough communication. I asked her what I can do to make it easier for her. She asked me to let her know what I am doing and be more of a team player. I agreed.
I am concerned that she is being negatively influenced by the troublemaker she replaced, but don’t know how to stop his influence without proof that he is encouraging trouble now that he is gone.
My supervisor is a nice guy, but a weak leader who hates confrontation. He mentioned that he is thinking of changing the shifts around because there are too many strong personalities, but has not indicated whose personality he is using as the reason to switch shifts. I do not want my supervisor to label me as a troublemaker so I keeping quiet.
My performance evaluations have been great, but dealing with these negative people makes me wonder--is it me...
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