Here we go again. Your team is under pressure to hit your goals and Don is still not pulling his weight. You heard a rumor Mike has been saying not so nice things about you behind your back, and, prepare yourself, Tina just walked in and is already whining about how terrible everything is.
In almost every workplace, there is bound to be difficult people that come in every variety you can imagine. So how do you deal with these types of coworkers? Here are the dos and don’ts.
Don’t: Vent to your Coworkers
You never know how a coworker might interpret your vent session, and it could easily be misconstrued as bad mouthing. It’s natural to want to blow off steam, but venting will actually end up keeping you stuck in negativity longer, rather than making you feel better.
Do: Try to Understand their Perspective
Try to understand they’re “why”, and be mindful. Compassion and empathy are two qualities that bring mutual respect, success and movement forward into our relationships. The point is not to ask ourselves what we would do; it’s to try and understand what they would do. Once you understand their motivation, use it as a guide to have successful future interactions.
Don’t: Pick up Their Slack
If the mistake they made is minor and doesn’t take long to fix, or their just having a really off day – feel free to help them out. However, if their minimal effort is constant and their work shows it, don’t overcompensate for their laziness. You’ll end up making yourself more angry and it could impact your own work.
Do: Rise Above It
It’s important to focus on what you can control about the situation. Your coworker’s actions aren’t in your control, but your actions are. Above all else, don’t take it personally. Tell yourself things like “it doesn’t matter,”, or “it’s not me, it’s them.”
It’s frustrating to feel constantly drained or stressed because of a coworker. Remember, the greatest leverage is your own behavior, and by following these dos and don’ts, you’ll be on your way to improving your work environment and morale.
