80
Suggesting Less Drinking to a Coworker

STRATEGY

It's always awkward to discuss drinking habits with a colleague, but never more so than at a sales conference or in some other out‐of‐the‐office business/personal situation. Most large companies have established routines for identifying, warning, and assisting employees who show signs of chronic alcohol or drug abuse, but when a fellow sales rep blows a deal by getting drunk at a client dinner, there's no employee assistance program around to intervene. There's probably little you can do at the time, short of making a scene—and he has probably already taken care of that; so, your goal is to make sure it doesn't happen again. That means changing his behavior—at least in his business meetings with you.

TACTICS

  • Attitude: Be direct, clear, and determined. You are doing this for their good, your good, and the company's good, so there's no reason for you to question your actions.
  • Preparation: Expect efforts either to deny there's a problem or to shift the focus of the discussion from the issue of drinking. Consider “compromise solutions” short of abstinence.
  • Timing: Do this as soon as possible after an incident where the problem was obvious. Breakfast the morning after a botched client dinner is fine—as long as they aren't too hung over.
  • Behavior: Be compassionate but keep the focus on business. Your goal is to keep from being embarrassed in the future, and make sure their problem doesn't hurt your career.
Flow diagram depicting a course of action for 80. Suggesting Less Drinking to a Coworker with an opening statement, situations, and responses.
Flow diagram depicting a course of action for 80. Suggesting Less Drinking to a Coworker with situations and responses.

ADAPTATIONS

This script can be modified to:

  • Address any form of antisocial behavior by a business peer.
  • Discuss the garb of a business peer.

KEY POINTS

  • Be businesslike, determined, clear, and direct.
  • If they say their drinking is none of your business, stress that when it happens in a work situation it is your business.
  • If they say you're exaggerating, say other people have noticed too.
  • If they say you're too uptight, say you're simply interested in getting your job done.
  • If they blame the clients, suggest having meetings at non‐drinking times or places.
  • If they accuse you of acting superior, just reiterate your stake in the situation.