Sidelined in Sales: How to Handle a Competitive Colleague?

Ans:

Hi Rushilesh.

The best advice is ‘Ignore Them’.

It is human tendency to be jealous and that's what your colleagues are feeling.

Since they can't compete with you on skills, they are using these unethical means to distract you.

Remain focused on your job and don't let your good performance slip.

Keep your manager in the loop about the office politics so that s/he can back you if things get worse.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
You win some, you lose some! That's life and you know it...

You seem to hold onto certain principles that are robbing you of good work. One can maintain their self-respect even by actually giving into certain demands from the clients provided it reflects well in your balance sheet.
The question to ask is:
Am I being too rigid on my principles that it has begun to work against me?
What can I do to maintain my self-respect and yet gain the trust of the clients?

You have done work in one particular way and it has worked for you till the time, the clients chose you. When you know that business or work is slipping out of your hands, ask yourself these two questions and know that it is possible to get work without compromising and still maintaining professional ethics.

So, deep dive into yourself and shake any rigid belief that is standing in your path and soften the belief in a way that you manage to work around it and still keeping your principles intact. Alternate ways of thinking can set you free...

All the best!

Ans: Dear Sir/ Madam,

Few aspects to look at-

Acknowledge the facts and emotions
Keep it professional
Put your head down and focus on your performance
Focus on networking
Look for a mentor and seek guidance
Understand and navigate the culture of the organization.

Focus on the aspects that can be controlled. Put your energy around the same. You can not control all the aspects at work. The choice is with you. The more you focus on the aspect (in this case favoritism) it will only drain you emotionally. I am sure you must be experiencing the current situation. Hence focus on what you can control which is your work, your performance, and your growth.

Hope this helps. All the best
To Your Success
Thanks and Regards
Ashwini Dasgupta
Author of Confidence Decoded. Is it a Skill or Attitude?

Ans: It’s common in corporate settings for certain people to thrive through social politics, but that doesn’t mean it’s fair or that you have to put up with it indefinitely. While keeping a minimum interaction with these individuals is a healthy boundary, it might also be time to think about how you can navigate these situations more strategically, without letting them affect your mental peace.

One approach could be to shift your focus from trying to understand why management might be biased to figuring out how you can position yourself better within the organization. Sometimes, it’s not about playing the same game as those toxic coworkers but about creating your own narrative. Instead of engaging with the drama, focus on building strong alliances with people who appreciate your work and values. Even if management seems biased, finding key people who recognize your worth can help you stay grounded and give you a sense of support.

At the same time, it’s crucial to recognize that you cannot control how others behave, but you can control how you respond. If you feel manipulated or undermined, documenting these situations can be helpful, especially if it ever escalates to a point where you need to defend yourself to HR or management.

Ultimately, it might also be worth reflecting on whether this work environment is the right fit for you long-term. Toxic environments can be exhausting, and if the culture consistently rewards those who engage in gossip and manipulation, it might not align with your values. Considering whether there are other opportunities within or outside the company where you feel more supported and respected could be an important step.

If staying in this environment is what you choose, focusing on your strengths, maintaining your professionalism, and seeking support from trusted colleagues can help you manage these challenges more effectively. You deserve to work in a place where your skills and contributions are recognized without needing to engage in toxic dynamics.