How do you deal with pushy co-workers who try to act like the manager?

In nearly every office is at least one control-freak or queen bee. I handle people like this by always being polite, but politely ignoring whatever it is they are trying to foist on me, unless I think their instructions are directly attributable to the wishes/direction of the boss. You do not want to create a situation of animosity between you and the pushy co-workers because it will almost certainly make you look bad to your boss. Your boss may already be aware of the co-workers' pushiness, but not really care since it isn't interfering with him~~therefore, it's up to you to quietly refuse the suggestons they make that don't fit with your agenda, without making it look like you are going to war! Always remain calm (sometimes a hard thing to pull off!) and be polite, but whenever they tell you to do something that you don't agree with, tell them honestly that you have something else planned to do at that time, or that you don't feel the same way they do about how a situation should be handled, and without further explanation, either walk away or go back to what you were doing before and ignore further attempts to drag you into an argument. They will eventually get the message that, while you are reserved, you have a mind of your own and can't be pushed around.

I once worked in an office that had a queen bee who loved to direct everyone else's activities. From the time I began working there, almost every other female in the office came to me at some point and commented that everyone did whatever Doris asked because she was the senior secretary and if I was "smart" I wouldn't get on her "wrong" side. For a while, I stayed out of her way, but soon she began calling over to my desk, and on a daily basis, condescendingly asked me to "cover the phones" while the rest of the office went out to eat. It caught me off guard the first time, so I did it, but I was not happy about it. Since technically I did not work for the same company as she did, but worked for the president and vice president of another company housed within the same space, I decided I no longer wanted to comply with her request to be the only person not getting a lunch hour. The next day when she called me up to let me know that everyone was going to lunch and would I cover the phones, I simply told her "No. I'm not a secretary for the architecture firm, I am the only executive secretary for the real estate firm, and I'm not required to answer your phones for you. I'm going to lunch, find someone else to answer them." After that day, Doris suddenly became very nice to me and I had no more trouble.

At work, the only instructions you are required to follow is your own and, of course, your bosses'. Everyone else's instructions are on an "advisory only" basis. My advice is to be reasonable and fair to your co-workers, freely help out whenever you are able, be pleasant, but ultimately, do your own thing within the framework of your job description. I hope this advice will help out!

Bossy and pushy sound like she's assertive and wants things perfect. If she is your superior then you have to learn to deal with her personality. Honestly, I have had several jobs and there is always one of these. I have had them as my supervisors and I just can't handle this type of personality. I would always stick it out a year and then move on to another job. This sounds like a personality conflict and she probably isn't going to change. If at one moment she's mean and bitchy and the next she is nice and will give you the shirt off your back then you probably need to "watch your back" because she might turn on you. These types can be terrible to work for. One minute you think things are fine and the next you are getting yelled at for something you didn't even know was wrong. I have never been good with dealing with it. So, my answer to your question is to move somewhere else within the company or leave and go somewhere else. Good luck.

Since you have to work with them it's important to try to respond professionally.

If someone gives you an order that should come from your manager there's nothing wrong with saying "I can do that, but it really needs to come from my manager."

Then that person can either do the right thing and go through the proper channels, or they can try to press the issue.

If it's a real problem, and not just an annoyance you can take it up with your manager. Sometimes they will clear the air and let everyone know who gives the orders, sometimes they will not think it's important. Only one way to find out!

Firmly, pleasantly, and politely.

Do talk to your boss, and see if they will talk to them. Maybe the best way to approach the boss would be to put it as a question "Do I report to you, or to x and y?"

Since you don't say what, exactly, they do, it's hard to be more specific.

If they try to give orders, firmly, calmly, politely (and briefly) explain you are doing what's expected of you and can't help them out. "I have to n now; sorry."

If it's something else, try another question, giving examples, or a description of what they do.

Remember, you were hired to do your job.

Those who pay you (or supervise you) want you to be able to do your work.

If something's interferring with that, they need to know.

Jeff Dale and Tyrone Roberts posted the same question. You should read their answers side by side.

Let's just IGNORE HER! Oh wait, you still sit by her. Poop. Come over to the dark side mommas, we have cookies. =)

Ignore them. If you do not report to them don't waste time with them.

SAY THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO DO YOUR JOB AND LET THEM DO THEIRS, THEY GET PAID TO WORK, NOT OVERLOOK YOUR DUTIES

give it right back and see how they feel

smack 'em