Be the boss of your workplace confidence

Members' top tips

1. If you're brave enough, approach one of them when she is on her own and ask her if you have somehow upset them? If you can appeal to the better nature of one of them, they might all realise how they are making you feel.
2. If you are considering leaving anyway, try and keep your head held high and not rise to the bait.
3. Stop trying to be nice, it only reminds both parties how much you don't get along.
4. Go on a work social event and let them see that you are fun and unthreatening to be around, without pandering to them.
5. Chat to other colleagues the you do get along with, perhaps they can give you another spin on the situation.

Q: How can I achieve the confidence to be a good boss?
I started a new managerial job three months ago. My problem lies with a lady in the office, who I feel is not supporting me in my role. She is the line manager over the other workers, and she has started to talk badly of two new members of staff whom I took on one month into my job there. I would like to confront her, but I feel I have lost a bit of confidence and am not so sure. What can I do?
tracetheace2003

Members' top tips

1. Make a stand; otherwise you will lose the confidence of the rest of the workforce.
2. Remember the people that hired you believed in your capabilities, you are the manager and are clearly more capable than you think.
3. Have a diplomatic and informal chat with her, explain that you want her to work with you, not against you; try to get her `on side'.
4. If in doubt, talk to your HR person about the usual procedures on dealing with these issues - no doubt they will be happy to help.
5. If she still refuses to co-operate, take a stronger tactic and report her, as her manager you are well within your rights.