or is my colleague?

[redrollers]

Seem to be having a little bit of a clash with my colleague!
I found him patronising from day one, smirking when I asked him questions, so I learnt to ask questions elsewhere. we seem to talk a completely different language,I have the business knowledge, he is an IT person. Whilst I am keen to learn from him, he seems very dismissive of me.

he has recently been made permanent, it seems that this new "power" has gone straight to his head.
He now seems to be treating me like an assistant. Booking his meetings, finding meeting rooms. I have been involved in these meetings, so not really a problem.
I have managed a lot of different personalities before, but always from a "we are a team" kind of perspective, leading by example.
He seems to want to order people around.
He checks up on my work twice a day at least, in what I think is quite an aggressive tone, which he doesn't seem to use with anyone else. He seems to make comments in front of all the team, designed to catch me out, or put me on the spot, or to put me down. He is not helpful at all if he asks me to do something (ie a system issue) and I ask how to do it. And he sends emails telling me to get logons, without explaining what the hell for, or what that system does, or how it will help me.

I have never had this before, mainly because I have always been the senior person.
I am consulting now.

So , am I being a bit sensitive, or are things just being done a bit different than I am used to?
I definitely have to talk to him, even if it is to point out how is talking to me.

I also need to approach my colleagues to get their take on him. They are all being very polite, but I think they think he is a complete wanker!

I am thinking of leaving, this is just one of the reasons, but I need to tackle this professionally for the sake of my CV.

Who is more senior? If it's you, then you need to tell him to stop treating you like a PA. Checking your work? Wtf?

I wouldn't gather opinion from your colleagues to be honest, it could come across a bit gossipy.

YANBU He's a jumped up bully-boy arse with a superiority complex, that's all. I don't know who is in charge of the team but they should be the one checking on work, if any. And if you're being treated in an agressive, dismissive, vindictive or otherwise unacceptable way, and he doesn't respond to being told to back off sharpish, talk to his line manager or someone in personnel and complain.

What is your role as consultant? Consultants in our place tend to be project specific. If so then your is defined so you would need to have a 'chat' with him saying although you are willing to help you cannot act as his PA due to your work commitments.

If your project is working with him - then you need to speak to your line manager. Keep examples of such behaviour.

Don't agree to book his meetings or find rooms. If he asks, say "no, you'll need to do that yourself (name)".

If he makes comments designed to catch you out in front of the team, pick him up on it in a polite way but so it shows you know what he's up to, e.g. ask for more details about what he's asking. You will have lots of witnesses.

Agree with others, have a plan for the next time he is bullish. I presume you don't report to him nor that he is more senior to you. Next time he asks you to organise a meeting I would simply say, I think you'll find it's your turn to set this one, considering I've organised this last few. This is when I am available. Be assertive but reasonable (and make sure what you say is accurate).

If he doesn't give full information, reply asking for clarity on x and x.

I have worked with various bullies, generally it is because they feel threatened by competence/their job etc. My strategy has always been to work harder and be more competent, the situation always got worse but every time in the end I came out on top. They only make themselves look bad.

yes, it's project work and I work with him.
The only seniority he has is that he is permanent, and I am contracting, which I think is a bit of a grey area.
the whole project has had no direction, no guidance, it's very frustrating.

I have been very calm and precise with my answers.
I think I annoy him, even when I make polite chitchat he seems to be confrontational!

I think I'd initially take it up with the project manager, one of whose roles it is to ensure that the team is working effectively.

He sounds horrible, arrogant and picky. Yuck.

As for solving things, I would initially approach someone in a senior position to both of you. You don't need to make it into a big deal straight away, you just need to be clear on what the issues are. This would be a good way to gauge a reaction on how he is with other people.

That might well be enough to change things, but if it isn't, you could try confronting him directly, calmly telling (not asking) him that the way he speaks to you is noticed and not appreciated. You might want to subtley (but not so subtley that he doesn't 'get it') point out that he is not senior to you and therefore has no grounds to check your work or monitor your professional performance. Tell him you would like to be able to co-exist in the workspace with him and that you are looking forward to things changing for the better. Don't give him a chance to argue back, dictate his past behaviours rather than debate them with him.

Good luck.

Another vote for talking to your line manager here - remember that is what they are for and they will have had training in dealing with different personality types.
You can do it under the guise of seeking clarity for your different roles if you don't want to sound like you are just complaining - not that you are, he sounds like a twat but sometimes you have to cover your own arse first...

the line manager's a bit useless as well.
They are the reason there is no structure in my opinion!!