Got a call yesterday

[misslynn]

I received a call from one of the managers in my office, "James", who reports directly to my boss (but in no way do I report to him at all).  James had forwarded some confidential data to his entire staff, it should not have gone to them so I e-mailed and asked him to recall the message.  When I couldn't get ahold of him, I talked to his assistant and had her recall the message.  It was extremely sensitive data that could not go out.  I partnered with one of my Directors, "Michael", all along the way, since Bossie is on vacation.

So yesterday James calls and starts yelling at me, telling me I have no right to decide what communication he sends to his group.  I can typically hold my own with Senior level executives, but the way he was yelling at me, I felt very threatened and couldn't respond.  Thankfully Michael was in the office so I ran to his office and told him it was James yelling at me because of the e-mail situation.  

Thank goodness for Michael, he told me to get off the phone with James and to tell him to call him, he'd take care of it.  I went back to him later in the day because I was still upset, no one has a right to call and yell at me (or anyone for that matter).

I'm going to talk to Bossie when he returns because I think this needs to be addressed, but also, if he thinks he can talk to me that way, how is he treating the people that do work for him?

[Katie G]

"James" reminds me of an animal that has been cornered and is lashing out in a desperate attempt to save his hide.  Except in this case, his "trap" is of his own making.  He screwed up, got called on it, and lashed out at you.