Dear Jane,
I’m a project manager at a small tech company. I’m responsible for managing a team of developers and ensuring that our projects are completed on time and within budget. One of my coworkers, let’s call him John, is constantly asking me about the status of our projects. He’s always asking when things will be done, and he’s starting to make me feel like I’m not doing my job well enough. I’ve tried to set boundaries with him, but he doesn’t seem to get the message. I’m starting to dread coming to work because I know I’m going to have to deal with his constant questions.
What can I do?
Sincerely,
Stressed Out Project Manager
Dear Stressed Out,
I hear you. It can be really stressful to have a coworker who is constantly asking about the status of your projects. It can feel like they’re micromanaging you, and it can be hard to set boundaries.
Here are a few things you can do:
- First, try to have a conversation with John. Explain to him that you’re feeling stressed out by his questions, and that you need him to give you some space to work. Let him know that you’ll keep him updated on the status of your projects, but that you don’t need him to check in with you every day.
- If that doesn’t work, try setting some boundaries with him. For example, you could tell him that you’ll only check your email once a day, or that you’ll only respond to his emails after 5pm.
- If he still doesn’t get the message, you may need to escalate the issue to your manager. Your manager can talk to John about his behavior, and help you to set some clear expectations.
It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this. Many people have experienced similar situations. The key is to be assertive and set some boundaries. If John can’t respect your boundaries, then you may need to escalate the issue to your manager.
Here are some additional tips for setting boundaries with a coworker who is constantly asking about the status of your projects:
- Be clear and direct about your expectations. Let John know that you appreciate his interest in your work, but that you need him to give you some space to work.
- Be polite but firm. There’s no need to be rude or confrontational when setting boundaries. Just be clear and direct about what you need.
- Be consistent. If you let John cross your boundaries once, he’s more likely to do it again. So be consistent in your enforcement of your boundaries.
I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Jane Harper