How to push back at work
Clap back - but make it professional
Need to push back at work, but not sure how to say it in a professional way? On the spot, and need to call someone out? Here are some scripted push backs for when you’re in a tight spot at work.
We’ve all been there - from being asked to do something outside of work hours when it’s not necessary, to a colleague going behind your back. While there are often a few stages to figuring out what might be behind this and pushing back in stages, here, we want to talk about what to do when you’re on the spot when you need to, well, clap back - but in a professional way.
Here are 5 scenarios and some ways that you can deal with them, especially when you’re put on the spot:
Being expected to work late when it’s not urgent
Try saying “My work day finishes at 6pm but I’ll prioritise this first thing and keep you updated”.
2. That’s their job - not yours
Try: “My understanding is that this falls within your area of responsibility and expertise but I’m happy to input where appropriate”.
3. You’ve been delegated too many tasks
You could say something along the lines of: “Looking ahead, I’m not able to pick up all of those tasks within my other priorities and working hours - I think the priorities within my remit are x, y and z so I’ll do those by X deadline, if you could redistribute the other actions to colleagues who are better placed to pick them up.”
4. You’re being constantly interrupted
Give them a free pass or two, if you want, but if it continues, try addressing them directly and say something along the lines of
“ Steve, one moment, I’d like to finish my point”
“Steve, one moment, I haven’t finished speaking”
Steve, you cut me off mid-sentence, there - if I could just finish my point”
If they’re really going for it with the cut-ins: “Steve, I value your points, but could you let me finish speaking, then we can discuss this?”
5. A colleague goes over your head / does something without telling you
Try something like: “I heard that you spoke to X about the project after we discussed it, which has made me a little concerned that we’re not communicating as well as we could. Going forward, can I suggest that …”
If someone has gone off and done something that they should have told you about:
“I understand that you contacted the client about the project which makes me worried that we’re not communicating and coordinating as well as we could. And in this case, it’s led to some duplication of work / some inefficiencies. So I suggest we keep each other looped in on this - I’m happy to talk about how best to do this.”
