How to be professional when coworker isn’t?

[King Bowls]

Raises his voice, uses the “F” word and it then becomes so tempting to cuss him out and put him in his place (since he’s incompetent anyway) 

 

How do you keep yourself in check emotionally and maintain professionalism? This has been an ongoing weakness of mine. 

[MsJayne]

Depends what your roles are, and what environment you work in. Example, it's inappropriate in a professional office, or in a sales role, or in a medical field, police or armed forces, etc, but if he's a tradie on a work site it's pretty common. If he's your boss or your supervisor then you can complain about it because raising his voice is a form of intimidation, (if it's at you or another employee), but if you're just two people who work in equal roles then just mention to him that you find it offensive. Many loudmouths are  a bit socially challenged and sometimes need someone else to say something before they realise how annoying they are. 

Edited June 27 by MsJayne

[King Bowls]

7 hours ago, MsJayne said:

Depends what your roles are, and what environment you work in. Example, it's inappropriate in a professional office, or in a sales role, or in a medical field, police or armed forces, etc, but if he's a tradie on a work site it's pretty common. If he's your boss or your supervisor then you can complain about it because raising his voice is a form of intimidation, (if it's at you or another employee), but if you're just two people who work in equal roles then just mention to him that you find it offensive. Many loudmouths are  a bit socially challenged and sometimes need someone else to say something before they realise how annoying they are. 

It’s in a retail role. He’s a woefully incompetent employee who, my grandfather (the owner of the business) just won’t fire. This guy has lied to customers, fellow coworkers, run off business and you just can’t trust him. He does at times do good work and has his own niche of knowledge like the rest of us do here, which can be valuable, but I feel this negative side far outweighs any good he brings to the table. 
 

he’s quick to say he’s “the manager” and so and so’s boss, but he’s terrible. Has no understanding of basic financial statements, doesn’t know his numbers, has a terrible memory (often says “oh thank you for reminding me” to my grandfather or others) and when faced with pricing decisions, says “let’s ask your grandfather” then I think, you’re the “manager”, you should be able to make these decisions on your own. He is also remarkably stupid when it comes competitive edge and driving our business forward. Didn’t know that cash-flow is the lifeline of a business and the difference or even what cash and accrual accounting is. 

[basil67]

If this guy is your senior, then I'd say your grandfather sees other qualities in him.   But honestly, if you can't bear working with him and your grandfather won't change anything, find a new job.  With the knowledge you describe yourself as having, you should easily be able to walk into a new role

[King Bowls]

1 hour ago, basil67 said:

If this guy is your senior, then I'd say your grandfather sees other qualities in him.   But honestly, if you can't bear working with him and your grandfather won't change anything, find a new job.  With the knowledge you describe yourself as having, you should easily be able to walk into a new role

Yes I need to. It’s a crisis for myself right now 

[Sanch62]

Odds are, you're not the only one who is offended by this guy. Offensive people tend to hang themselves without any investment or influence required from you.

How long has this guy been there?

Decide whether you can view this as a private challenge to yourself to maintain your self-control and outlast him.

Either that, or find a different role within the company you may wish to explore. Make the case to your Grandfather or HR why you would view it beneficial to be transferred, at least temporarily, to support and learn such a role. Even if that means exploring several roles within the company to gain well-rounded experience, you can make the case for a program of 6 month rotations through roles that may interest you.

[MsJayne]

14 hours ago, King Bowls said:

He’s a woefully incompetent employee who, my grandfather (the owner of the business) just won’t fire. This guy has lied to customers, fellow coworkers, run off business and you just can’t trust him.

Ugh, one of the hardest things to bear in a work situation is when a colleague is a liability but the boss thinks the sun shines out of them, most of us have been there at some stage in our working lives. If you have no choice but to work with him you just have to learn to tolerate it and wait for karma to take it's course, or you have to find work elsewhere. Don't be the one that tries to expose him, because often when someone is like this they're also so far up the boss' rear you'd need a crowbar to get them out, so you just keep out of their firing line.