Are you being undermined?

After noticing the topic being mentioned more frequently on Twitter, PHIL BURTON, SBM at Hallbrook and Cosby Primary Schools, explores the steps you can take to ensure you aren’t being undermined

Over the past few weeks I have seen more and more tweets about business managers who feel that their team is undermining them, or bypassing them. In the main, this seems to be around front office teams going directly to the headteacher for things, or simply not including the business manager in the communications. I thought this would be a good area to take a look at, to think about steps you might take to ensure that you are managing the situation effectively.

Undermining behaviour from a colleague involves them saying things or acting in a way that makes others question your professionalism, knowledge, abilities or work ethic. Such behaviour can not only damage your reputation, and sabotage your professional development, but may also have a negative impact on your mental health. Undermining behaviour can be difficult to identify as emanating from one specific thing as, more often, it’s a combination of many small actions that build into a pattern of negative behaviour towards you. Some examples of undermining behaviour include:

● publicly and purposefully sharing mistakes you’ve made with others, rather than sharing feedback privately;

● interrupting when you’re speaking, and contradicting things you say to make others question your ideas;

● lessening the importance of your achievements, or downplaying the efforts you’ve made to realise your accomplishments;

● making jokes about you, your work or your expertise;

● challenging your work in a negative or personal way, without providing constructive feedback;

● attacking your work ethic or values in the workplace;

● undermining your authority in relation to a team, or within a group project;

● claiming credit for work that you have done;

● keeping important information or updates from you.

The most obvious consequence of a colleague undermining you at work is a breakdown in the relationship you have with that colleague. This kind of behaviour can create an inaccurate depiction of you as a leader, peer or co-worker; it can damage your reputation and may even affect your relationship with other colleagues. Dealing with undermining co-workers can be difficult, but finding ways to overcome this situation can help you to continue enjoying your role.

1Build your relationship with the member of staff by making small talk, showing interest in their hobbies, making them a coffee or approaching them to do a collaborative piece of work with you.

2 Address the issue directly – have a private meeting and be honest about how you are feelingthey may not be aware that their behaviour is affecting you. If they are too confrontational go directly to your line manager.

3 Ignore the behaviour (not always the easiest option). Ask them to clarify what they mean if they make jokes about your performance. Calling them out demonstrates to your peers you will not stand for the behaviour.

4 Remain confident in your abilities – you are good at your job.

5 Share your concerns with your manager or HR –they may be able to support you with a plan to move things forward

6 Finally, whilst this may seem a drastic solution, leaving the school may be the best course of action. If all else fails you should consider removing yourself from the toxic environment for your own wellbeing and benefit. 