How to Handle a Colleague's Cold Shoulder After a Disagreement at Work?

A few months ago, I joined a private limited company. The issue is that in my department, there is a boy who has been working for the last year in the same company. The thing is, he does not speak with me, even if it is official - I don't need personal chatting. I suggested a new idea to management once, but he did not like it. Since then, he has been behaving this way. I am unsure of what to do, so please help in this case. We both have the same qualifications and experience.

I am not able to understand what answer you are expecting from others in this regard. Maybe he is by nature highly reserved and a man of few words. Just because there was a standoff between him and you once on a specific point of common interest, it does not mean that since then he's become antagonistic. It may be your own perception. I think a sense of inferiority has set in you because of your late entry into the company, and you might have a higher educational qualification than him. Otherwise, you would not have singled him out from among many others working in the same company to make a comparison and such a flimsy complaint. You should always remember the fact that there are individual differences among people, whether it be in public or personal life. Still, if you are very particular, better try to break the ice by always beginning a conversation of his interest.

Dear Hareesh, There are people of various natures. Everyone cannot have the same nature. Some are garrulous, and some are reserved. Yes, some amount of openness is expected in the workplace, but as long as your colleague's reserved nature does not impact your productivity, then let it be. Those who are reserved are not necessarily egotistical persons.

I did not understand the meaning of your statement: "I think one time I suggested one new thing to management, but he did not accept it, and from then onwards, he has been doing this."

By the way, how is his nature with other colleagues? Is he reserved with everybody or with you only?

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

How does it affect you if he does not talk to you? Be normal and carry on. If he by any chance speaks to you, reply normally. It is sometimes human nature which vastly varies from person to person. He may be having his own issues and problem areas for all you know. He will speak once he feels the need to speak.

Hello Hareesh,

Can you clarify/confirm a few aspects/facts of your situation?

1] What's the employee strength of your Company AND your Dept?

2] Do you need to interact with this boy regularly and on a daily basis? Or is it just a one-off interaction?

3] Like Dinesh mentioned, how is his nature with other colleagues? Is he reserved with everybody or with you only?

Your inputs will enable the members to give actionable suggestions to you to handle the issue better.

@Dinesh--

What he meant by "I think one time I suggest one new thing to management but he not accepting, from onwards he doing this" would be this: he suggested something to the management which was accepted by all except this boy.

Regards,
TS

"I think one time I suggested one new thing to management, but he did not accept it. From then on, he has been doing this."

Probably, the person concerned is an introvert by nature. Perhaps, he is an ambitious person who feels slighted that his suggestion was not accepted and now sees himself as a competitor. However, what the querist should understand is that human nature is unique, and one cannot expect others to behave the way we want. Individual quirks and attitudes have to be accepted. If he doesn't speak, leave him be and let him speak when he feels like it.

Thank you very much for your comment. I would like to answer your queries mentioned above.

1) We have around 150 employees in our company, and I'm from the accounts department. There are four people, including myself.

2) Yes, there are regular chances to interact with him. If I ask or say something, he doesn't respond.

3) A few of our colleagues also have the same situation with him.

4) You are probably correct about what I mentioned previously: "I think one time I suggested a new idea to management, but he did not accept it. Since then, he has been behaving this way."

Regards,
Harish.N
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