It’s infuriating when a colleague goes over your head to the boss. Not only has he left you out of the conversation but he’s also potentially made you look bad. What can you say and do when someone tries to bypass you? Take a step back and assess what you know. Look at the facts, and avoid snap judgments. Could you be misreading the situation? If you don’t know exactly what happened, try to find out. You can ask your boss what transpired: “I heard you and Carlos were talking about his new idea. Is there anything I should know?” Be sure to maintain a casual, nonaccusatory tone so your boss doesn’t think you’re trying to start a feud. You can also approach your colleague in private to hear what he has to say about the situation and why he did what he did. Once you have all the information, you can make a rational decision about what to do next.
Adapted from "What to Do When a Coworker Goes Over Your Head," by Amy Gallo
