Thanks for the input all. 🙂

I’ve been trying to establish person boundaries around him but he catches me off guard sometimes. To clarify, I don’t speak about others at work, I’m usually on the receiving end of it. (ie so & so says your sooo slow, but I think they’re wrong [thus creating unnecessary conflict]) He uses it as manipulation of the art dept vs. the sales team. Last time I called him out on it, which felt crappy but he’s not done it since.

Stepping back and looking at the situation as a whole, you’re correct, he absolutely is trying to impress the people in the art department… in a weird, ladder-climby kind of way. Being a female in a corporate setting, I get defensive when a guy tries to take over projects which doesn’t help the situation at all.

I may speak to the boss because it’s getting a little out of hand.

Again, I really appreciate your input. Thank you