Colleague walks away in a disagreement

[Anonymous]

I can understand pursuing if you don't feel like it's resolved. Just because her co-worker decided the convo was over because she said what she had to say doesn't mean the other party has to cower to that.

[Anonymous]

Were you being rude, offensive or aggressive in the way you were speaking with her? Or could it be perceived that way?

[Anonymous]

There are professional ways and unprofessional ways to deal with disagreements and conflicts in the workplace. We don't know the merits of the underlying issue, and it really doesn't matter -- you do not walk out on a conversation, unless you have a professional-sounding exit line -- something like, "I don't really think I have anything to add," or "I'm not sure talking about this further at this point would be productive." Walking out is the equivalent of hanging up on someone. It may be totally justified, because the other person is obnoxious or aggressive or unprofessional themselves -- but it still shouldn't happen. That said, I agree that all the OP can (and should) do is examine his/her own behavior and try to be more conscious in the future. I would not suggest pursuing this person any more or trying to "air" any personality conflict. Doesn't sound like those approaches would do anything constructive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can understand pursuing if you don't feel like it's resolved. Just because her co-worker decided the convo was over because she said what she had to say doesn't mean the other party has to cower to that.

You can't force someone to speak with you. A conversation requires mutual consent. It doesn't mean that one side or the other is right.

[Anonymous]

Was it a conversation, or was she giving you an order or command that was within the scope of her position?

If she was giving you a directive (not this ever again), maybe this was not an issue that was up for debate.

Does she outrank you? If so, perhaps she sees you as insubordinate and undermining her authority.

[Anonymous]

If you're like any of the women that I see posting here every day I can imagine why someone would walk away as you talked...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can understand pursuing if you don't feel like it's resolved. Just because her co-worker decided the convo was over because she said what she had to say doesn't mean the other party has to cower to that.

You can't force someone to speak with you. A conversation requires mutual consent. It doesn't mean that one side or the other is right.

Of course you can't. But it was not at all unreasonable for her to have approached her for a second time.

[Anonymous]

OP has not given an indication of the subject of this conversation. I think she was right to walk away rather than screaming or yelling. OP, if I were you, I would cool it for awhile because coming back to this subject could cause a lot of trouble.