To begin to get frustrated with co worker

[Christmassprinkles123]

I'm newish to the job been there less than a year. Other colleague has a wealth of knowledge which I'm not disputing. I actually really like her. I am learning from her however my role is equal to hers. I do feel like I am her PA sometimes and she tells me to do this and that. She isn't my manager though.
Recently I've felt confident to take on more and tbh I feel I am good at my job. I have had meetings with clients and start the conversation and feel fine to do so. However colleague will then jump in and take over. The way the office is open plan and we don't have rooms to be able to go into. So then I'll sit there just like a spare part. It's really starting to frustrate me. Colleague is also quite over powering so sometimes it's hard to get a word in. Even for the clients too. Also colleague sometimes uses personal experiences as examples and I feel sometimes overshares too much and find it a bit unprofessional.

Aibu to get frustrated with colleague. How am I suppose to gain experience without actually do the role. I mean if I needed help I would seek support and help.
Any tips or advice for dealing with a similar person at work?

Can you not just tell her to stop post her taking over? Tell her it’s extremely inappropriate and that she isn’t to do it again and that oversharing personal info is making the client uncomfortable. She should not be treating you in this way, it makes you look incompetent!

And that's what I'm thinking it's making me look incompetent when I'm really not. Today she came to a meeting that I had been dealing with for a few months now. I did the ground work and i used my own initiative however I feel she takes credit for it.
In our weekly staff meetings the manager will see things and said oh colleague spoke to this client and praise her. However manager didn't see that actually I did the beginning of the work and then she came in and took over

Do you share a line manager?

You could speak to your line manager and position it in a way that you feel like your skills have grown but the dynamic with your colleague, who you respect and think is good etc, is stifling your ability to add value to the company as she is dominating your work and client relations. So don't make it a complaint about her (they might think she's great) but about what needs to change to allow you to thrive. Keep it positive and constructive - this is about you trying to do a great job. If she continues to do it after being told then you can raise it up a notch.

Her references to her personal life are clouding the issue....if it brings the company into disrepute or makes anyone uncomfortable, report it, otherwise leave her to it.

Yes we share the same line manager and yes work do like her. Which she is a nice person. I can't work out if she's jumping in because she thinks she's there to help or she doesn't want to miss out/can see I'm doing well and wants to take credit.
I'm office is nice to work in and I don't want to rock the boat. I have been a people pleaser in the past but I really enjoy my job and want to progress and I don't want to be made to look incompetent.
The staff all already go to her as she's been there for a few years and she tells every one how many years experience she has.
Ifs starting to get frustrating.
We have some data analysis coming up and this is my strong point and she's made it clear that it's not her strong point. However I know she will try take over and do it even though my boss has stated this kind of job is more in my role.

How about a very firm, "it's okay I've got this," while holding your hand up in a clear STOP signal next time she tries to butt in.

It's just say to her that you're getting more confident now you've learned the ropes, and as you've had plenty of time to observe her wonderful skills you'd like the opportunity to take the next deal the whole way. So would she stay out the next client conversation and let you see if you can manage the whole process for once?

Worth a try before you go to line manager.

I am also worried about having her knowledge and therefore being on the same level as her because although she's nice I think she would then see me as a threat. Don't they say never outgrow the master?
It's sometimes hard to get a word in so I want to let her know in a way that's not going to make me look stupid in front of a client.

Agree with this approach. "Thanks Susan, I've got this"+ "I'm sure you're very busy with your own clients, I'm fine with mine. I know where you are if I have questions " for afterwards/beforehand

‘Thanks for your input, Janice. I’ll let you get back to your work now.’

Or, in advance of the meeting, ‘Janice, I know you have plenty of your own work to do so I’ll take this one alone.’

In advance of meetings send round all the slides stating, ‘Here are the slides I’ll be covering today. They’re based on my analysis of…’. Copy in the boss. You need to preempt her so she can’t muscle in without everyone knowing she’s trying to take credit for your work.

Yes, this.

Keep it about you. What you need to grow further in your role now. So speak to your line manager along the lines of .. "Colleague has been really helpful in supporting me and I now feel ready to manage client meetings (or whatever it is) by myself. I haven't spoken to [colleague] yet as I don't want to offend her but would really appreciate the opportunity to manage the next meeting from start to finish on my own. Is that something you would be happy for me to do? I think it would really help me further my progress in this role. Obviously I will ask for support if I feel I need it."

I think the upcoming data analysis project is an ideal opportunity to have a quiet word with your line manager. Say, you feel it's your strong point and you would like to take it on as a personal project. You can mention that colleague's input and support has been invaluable but sometimes it is a little frustrating when she acts like a helicopter parent (insert own phrase here) when your role is equal.

Good luck

Kill her with flattery.
Tell her you’ve watched her and listened to her in client meetings quite a lot now and learned a lot, so for your own personal development you’d like to take the lead in the next one.