Harvard Business Review LogoJune 17, 2026Sean Murphy/Getty ImagesIn strong organizations, collaboration is encouraged and leaders are expected to think beyond their own lanes. But there is a line between contributing and overstepping. When a colleagueIn the best organizations, collaboration is encouraged and leaders are expected to think beyond their turf. But there’s a difference between that and someone who constantly weighs in on work that isn’t theirs or is full of unsolicited opinions about how you should be running things. What should you do about a colleague who keeps overstepping? How do you tell them to stay in their lane without hurting the relationship? And how do you protect your team from the interference?
When Your Colleague Keeps Meddling in Your Work
In strong organizations, collaboration is encouraged and leaders are expected to think beyond their own lanes. But there is a line between contributing and overstepping. When a colleague repeatedly inserts themselves into work that is not theirs or offers unsolicited direction, it can create friction, erode ownership, and undermine teams. The challenge is figuring out how to rein in the behavior without damaging the relationship or discouraging healthy collaboration. Here’s how to manage your colleague’s behavior, and how to address what’s behind it.
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