The Workplace Hour: Dealing with Difficult Reps

A live radio show in Chicago where listeners call in to discuss workplace drama, hosted by Alex with two conflicting callers.

The Workplace Hour: Dealing with Difficult Reps

True or false?

Nicole called the show to complain about a colleague taking credit for her work.

• True
• False

Mike called in to discuss marketing strategies.

• True
• False

Mike and Nicole work at the same company in the Chicago area.

• True
• False

Alex the host advised them to stay on the radio to continue their argument.

• True
• False

Nicole accused Mike of being a deal sandbagger and a prima donna.

• True
• False

Listen again and complete the sentences

• Alex: Welcome back to Workplace Solutions on WBEZ Chicago. I'm your host, Alex Mercer, and today we're talking about high-maintenance reps and team friction. Let's go straight to our first caller, Nicole from Naperville. Nicole, you're on the air, what's your ____ ?
• Nicole: Oh, they're always undermining my work behind my scenes! Last Tuesday, I prepared a brilliant pitch deck for a new retail client, and Dan — sorry, Mike, my colleague — just casually told our sales director that he supervised the entire negotiation. I was furious, but I had to ____ to keep the peace.
• Mike: Hi Alex, it's Mike here. I'm calling because I've got a toxic ____ on my team who's constantly complaining about turf wars and account ownership. She's always whining that someone's stealing her leads, even when the data shows otherwise.
• Alex: Well, folks, it looks like we don't even need a psychologist today. We've got live ____ right here on the line!
• Mike: Nicole? I didn't know you listened to this show! Look, I only jumped in because you were going to blow the deadline, and I was trying to ____ with the regional VP.

Sources: photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels