Working with an external supplier, they need work within our org to define the ask of the projects and I deliver them. Due to the nature of the work they have to do this within our process and I have to manage their output.
All my project work is linked to this supplier so very familiar with them. I’ve worked hard to create better ways of working etc
New project, new personnel from the supplier. She doesn’t seem to manage to have a conversation with me without being defensive about everything. She is also the same with other people in my org.
It can be anything from small to big things. For example we had a conversation about the project with a director. She was on holiday so I emailed her to let her know what had been said. Instantly comes back i was on holiday and repeated this point in the last meeting. Tried to explain I knew this and wanted to just keep her updated just for her own reference.
Im at the point where I dread speaking to her as anything I say is a personal attack and I just want to get round this as it makes meetings uncomfortable and very counterproductive.
How can I improve the situation? She’s also complained about the meetings to her manager so I’ve advised her I’d like her attend the next one so she understand what is going on, along with forwarding the emails over.