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Difficult Coworkers
Career success depends on both results and relationships. Our free coaching tips can help you communicate with colleagues, resolve work conflicts, and build stronger teams.
DIFFICULT COWORKERS TOPICS
Ideally, everyone would behave in a calm, rational, adult manner at work. But unfortunately, some people just never grow up completely. If you have to deal with immature bosses, coworkers, or employees, perhaps the suggestions below will help you keep your sanity. Here are some signs that you are dealing with a childish adult.
If everyone looks like an enemy, then you are either in a toxic workplace or you need to consider therapy. But if you sense that one or two people have become your opponents, you may very well be right. Almost everybody encounters a few adversaries during their career. The ability to recognize adversaries and respond appropriately can be a critical career survival skill. Start by asking yourself three key questions:
- Is this an actual adversary or simply an annoying person?
- What does this person want?
- How do I keep this person from interfering with my success?
If you must deal with childish, pouty people at work (or at home, for that matter), here’s the strategy to follow . . .
What do we mean by “trust” at work? Think about a specific colleague, past or present, that you completely trust. Now try to figure out why you selected that person. What does the person do (or not do) that has created such a trusting relationship? When participants in collaboration workshops are asked that question, here are some answers they frequently give.
When faced with a conflict, our natural reactions are based in biology. As described by the famous “Fight or Flight” syndrome, impending danger spurs us to either attack or run away. Unfortunately, “fight” tendencies can lead to destructive arguments, while “flight” reactions make us avoid difficult discussions. And neither one will ever solve the problem! To replace conflict with problem resolution, you must override your biology and make a plan for tackling those tough topics. Here’s how to do that:
Some groups are tough to manage. When members have conflicting interests, personal agendas, or aggressive personalities, meetings can deteriorate into pointless debates or angry conflicts, thereby wasting time and harming relationships.
If your team seems to be headed down a destructive path, set some ground rules before blindly leaping into a discussion of issues. Unless your group is truly toxic, members will usually agree to a reasonable set of guidelines. Then, when things start to get out of hand, remind the wayward members of these agreements.
Ground rules should be posted in the meeting room, with copies given to all members. Although every group has specific needs, here are some guidelines that are generally useful for conflict management.
Coworkers can be very annoying! At Your Office Coach, we hear from lots of people who want their colleagues to stop doing something – talking, whistling, coming in late, eating at their desk, wearing tacky clothes, and on and on. These complainers are usually looking for an easy, painless way to deal with the situation. That may be impossible, but here are some helpful suggestions.
Do some of your coworkers just drive you crazy? Probably so. But consider this possibility: Could you be an annoying coworker yourself? The fifteen behaviors listed below are often the source of coworker complaints. Take an honest look at yourself and consider whether you might be guilty of any troublesome behaviors. Can you see yourself here?
Secrets to Winning at Office Politics
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