Hello Deepti,
I am not from HR background. I just stumbled over this thread. I agree with lot of people & their views. Just wanted to add my view.
First thing, when a new person comes who has an influence over their job & roles (like HR), there is a sense of insecurity & fear in the employee. So normal human & especially Indian tendency is to show that I am superior to you. You work by my guidelines & not the other way.
How to handle this - simple : don't get carried away & panic. That's what they want to see from their actions. When you succumb to their attack you are giving them the upper hand. Stay calm & don't show frustration whenever you see them or talk to them. Important - it's their test - so don't show them you are weakened by their negative complaining.
Another reason they do this is also to get attention. So show your firmness & don't give them too much attention. Just because they gave a negative feedback, don't start trying hard to please them & win them over. This will make them feel that their attack is making you bow down to them. Behave as though nothing has happened or affected you. Be slow & keep watching, if their behavior improves & adjust than just easily giving in.
Just wait for your chance & time. There will be somewhere they have to come to you, that's the time to make them feel your authority & importance, but again make sure not to offend them, you will also be testing different approaches, so look at how they react & take it further. Remember it should not back fire. You can also use such juncture to reprimand them or to check with them, if they have problem with you & why & also can ask them to give reasons for giving the negative feedback. If they have no choice to get this work done through someone else,they will be in a very uncomfortable situation.
Make them understand, without any valid reason to complain on someone is not professional. Tell them a person who is negative with no reason is considered a negative person. You may be senior in this co. but that doesn't mean you need to show your authority to terrorise the new comer. You may think by your actions you are getting into the good books of the management, but you should also remember if you are not able to cope with changes & new people you are not a good team player nor can be a good leader. Nobody wants a dominating behaviors, everybody likes assertive approaches.
Apologise in between & at the end, making them feel you are not advising them nor trying to dominate them. Just tell them I have no problem what you tell about me to others but remember it's a double edged sword. You are also telling about your tolerance, the way you think & your personality. And you take command over the person & situation from there.
I have not gone through all the replies, I just have jotted down quickly my view. Sorry if this may sound a wrong approach. I have been in such situations & this is what I do & take control. But you have to be confident & it needs lot of tact & courage. It has worked for me not necessary it has to for you. But keep it in mind.
Hope it helps.
Thanks
Gautham Shashangan
I am not from HR background. I just stumbled over this thread. I agree with lot of people & their views. Just wanted to add my view.
First thing, when a new person comes who has an influence over their job & roles (like HR), there is a sense of insecurity & fear in the employee. So normal human & especially Indian tendency is to show that I am superior to you. You work by my guidelines & not the other way.
How to handle this - simple : don't get carried away & panic. That's what they want to see from their actions. When you succumb to their attack you are giving them the upper hand. Stay calm & don't show frustration whenever you see them or talk to them. Important - it's their test - so don't show them you are weakened by their negative complaining.
Another reason they do this is also to get attention. So show your firmness & don't give them too much attention. Just because they gave a negative feedback, don't start trying hard to please them & win them over. This will make them feel that their attack is making you bow down to them. Behave as though nothing has happened or affected you. Be slow & keep watching, if their behavior improves & adjust than just easily giving in.
Just wait for your chance & time. There will be somewhere they have to come to you, that's the time to make them feel your authority & importance, but again make sure not to offend them, you will also be testing different approaches, so look at how they react & take it further. Remember it should not back fire. You can also use such juncture to reprimand them or to check with them, if they have problem with you & why & also can ask them to give reasons for giving the negative feedback. If they have no choice to get this work done through someone else,they will be in a very uncomfortable situation.
Make them understand, without any valid reason to complain on someone is not professional. Tell them a person who is negative with no reason is considered a negative person. You may be senior in this co. but that doesn't mean you need to show your authority to terrorise the new comer. You may think by your actions you are getting into the good books of the management, but you should also remember if you are not able to cope with changes & new people you are not a good team player nor can be a good leader. Nobody wants a dominating behaviors, everybody likes assertive approaches.
Apologise in between & at the end, making them feel you are not advising them nor trying to dominate them. Just tell them I have no problem what you tell about me to others but remember it's a double edged sword. You are also telling about your tolerance, the way you think & your personality. And you take command over the person & situation from there.
I have not gone through all the replies, I just have jotted down quickly my view. Sorry if this may sound a wrong approach. I have been in such situations & this is what I do & take control. But you have to be confident & it needs lot of tact & courage. It has worked for me not necessary it has to for you. But keep it in mind.
Hope it helps.
Thanks
Gautham Shashangan