Work with not-ready or unprofessional colleagues
We all have been un-ready ... at some point or another, for example when we start a new job we can be productive from the first day, there is always little things that you don't know, that don't understand ... that basically make you not ready? But that different from being not profesional.
As the first un-readiness the later if more permanent. With year I learn that in both cases the same approach is valid.
Step 0
Define your work and the other profesional clearly to your boss, if not the overall low quality of work might fireback you because no one will be able to differentiate you in the team.
Step 1
Define your boundaries in terms of what types of behavior you will and won't tolerate in the team. Clearly defining these limits according to your own standards of professionalism makes it easier to ignore smaller incidents. It also makes it easier to speak up when unprofessional behavior does cross the line.
Step 2
Demonstrate professional behavior yourself at every opportunity. Anyone outside of your team, including customers and other managers, if not others may be inclined to view you and your colleague as part of the same group of unprofessional Demonstrating the contrast between your professionalism and that of your colleague makes it less likely his behavior will reflect on you.
Step 3
Take note of your colleague's good qualities and remind yourself of these when he acts unprofessionally. This is especially helpful after small incidents that do not warrant you taking action.
Step 4
Document any unprofessional incidents in a private journal if you believe the behavior exhibited by your colleague may jeopardize your own career and team performance. Include dates and times, as well as any witnesses who were present. This documentation may be useful if your colleague's actions put you in a position where you are facing a review, demotion or termination.
Step 5
Ask to speak to your colleague privately whenever his unprofessional behavior is unacceptable to you. Describe the incident and his behavior without speculating on what you believe may be the cause of the behaviour.
Hope that helps you out there.