dont really know how to go abt this again.
one of my subordinate is not respecting me
she challenges me all the time.

That could be a big challenge and I do not envy you. I have some questions though:

1. Do you respect yourself n d subordinate?
2. Is this subordinate rude to everyone or does it appear to be jst u?
3. Are you on top of your job?
4. Did you get to be the person's boss by merit?

We need more details please.

I was in a similar poeition for like two years
IS this subordinate a female
Find out if she is having affair with your immediate line manager or the overall boss
Then pray about it

Depends on what kind of company you work for,

If her insubordination is affecting her work (i.e not taking directive from you), then you should have processes of handling this through HR. She should be sent a memo/email with HR copied stating how her insubordination is affecting her job and how you want to run your team. HR are there to back managers up in doing their job (I am assuming you are her manager).

If her attitude is more subtle, then you use a different strategy, involve her less in projects and be more formal with her etc. She will get the message that you are in charge.

If she isnt your direct report but work together (and is still your subordinate) then involve her manager.


BUT, look deep inside to be sure she is challenging you with good ideas and not just taking your direction without thinking and pushing back to you with good ideas. Sometimes we might not like people challenging our ideas or decisions.

If she is sleeping with a big boy in the company, then grit your teeth and ignore her. There is nothing you can do.

chy:

I was in a similar poeition for like two years
IS this subordinate a female
Find out if she is having affair with your immediate line manager or the overall boss
Then pray about it

Pray, lol, is that really your advice, bloody hell!!!

If it is really bad that you cannot ignore her, then find out why she is so confident to challenge you, she/he may be jealous of your position,
but first look deeply into the matter, or ask around the people you are close to at work.

thank you for your contributions


i called her yesterday and sat her down to know why she was challenging me at every opportunity.she said she did not want to accept me as her boss because she is older than me and why should the company brought me from another branch to come and head the department while there are a lot of them that has been loyal.
i understood her but it is not reason she should not listen to me.
am going to watch her this week,if she did not change i will give her a warning letter.

sweetmum:

thank you for your contributions


i called her yesterday and sat her down to know why she was challenging me at every opportunity.she said she did not want to accept me as her boss because she is older than me and why should the company brought me from another branch to come and head the department while there are a lot of them that has been loyal.
i understood her but it is not reason she should not listen to me.
am going to watch her this week,if she did not change i will give her a warning letter.

You do not need people who are going to undermine you. Make her understand that you are going to replace her one way or the other if she does not change her attitude. Do you the power to have her transfered or sacked? As a manager, you probably have goals/objectives set for you by your manager. You shouldn't have to deal with a recalcitrant subordinate while trying to achieve your objectives.

chy:

I was in a similar poeition for like two years
IS this subordinate a female
Find out if she is having affair with your immediate line manager or the overall boss
Then pray about it

_{yea this is true, learnt it in my second year engineering management module, Mr Baker says it works}

sweetmum:

thank you for your contributions


i called her yesterday and sat her down to know why she was challenging me at every opportunity.she said she did not want to accept me as her boss because she is older than me and why should the company brought me from another branch to come and head the department while there are a lot of them that has been loyal.
i understood her but it is not reason she should not listen to me.
am going to watch her this week,if she did not change i will give her a warning letter.

_{Have a word with senior management/HR informing them of the loyal sod that is questioning their decision and remind her she can be transferred if she is that bothered about her age!!}

Tel her if she focus on the job at hand you can recommend her for senior roles elsewhere