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It’s hard to be at work and it’s definitely difficult to be around people you haven’t chosen to be around ie coworkers. At your job, you are dealing with lots of personalities and various perceptions. Are you that difficult coworker or is it someone else?
These are the personalities to avoid, and how to deal with being in the presence of someone who is negative.
If you’re guilty, it’s time to take a step back and start taking positive steps to better your situation. Negativity is just damaging your life, you are never stuck in a job remember that.
Difficult Coworker Trait #1. The Complainer
It might feel natural to talk about your frustrations with your coworkers. No one wants to be around the person that is constantly negative. No one needs to be reminded everyday that they’re underpaid, that their commute is too far, or that employee breaks aren’t long enough, so give everyone a break.
Everyone is dealing with their own lives and own doubts, try to foster a positive work environment by skipping the bashing and focusing on what you are gaining through your current opportunity. This will keep you on track and motivated to make your next step up.
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Difficult Coworker Trait #2. The Snoot
If you have accepted a job that you view as beneath you, you should be confident that your skills, personality and character traits will speak for themselves. If you’ve moved up quickly in the past, there’s a good chance that will happen again.
Be careful to not bad mouth a job because you think it’s below you. Management won’t see that as a positive trait and it could hinder your chances at a promotion.
Everyone gets frustrated with where they are in the hierarchy.
Do yourself a favor by watching out for yourself from the start. If you need benefits, don’t accept a job without them. If you earned a Master’s degree, apply for jobs that requires it. Use the skills that you have accumulated and don’t sell yourself short. Should you sell yourself short, you risk being miserable and possibly feeling undervalued, AND underpaid.
Difficult Coworker Trait #3. The Mooch
If an office party happens, you’re gonna want to eat. Don’t be cheap AND a mooch. People notice. In every office I’ve ever worked in, comments about ‘who does and doesn’t bring food’ and ‘how much said person ate’ is ALWAYS discussed.
Bring something…it’s easy.
There are a million ready-made options at the grocery store that take no work at all, utilize those options in a pinch. Buy chips and salsa. It’s the effort that matters. In an office environment, it’s important to feel like everyone is pulling the same weight. That includes office parties. *Bonus tip: people love candy! Put a small jar of candy on your desk, more people will be sociable with you as they reach to get a piece and it could lead to more opportunities in the future.
Difficult Coworker Trait #4. The Eager Beaver
You don’t need to volunteer for each one of your boss suggestions. It’s ok to sit back and let someone else volunteer every once in a while.
I’ve witnessed bosses pile on excessive work to the overly eager. Please don’t work yourself to death in hopes of gaining good graces. A positive attitude with a helpful demeanor is one of the best personality traits you can exhibit. Aim for that.
*Save your boss’s bacon by volunteering or interacting in a larger group setting. No one wants their team to look uninvolved in front of upper management.*
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Difficult Coworker Trait #5. The Over-Sharer
Everyone doesn’t need to know your entire life history. I’ve witnessed so many inappropriate conversations within minutes of meeting someone, avoid talking about your body for instance. Somethings are never ever appropriate to talk about at work, okay?
Try to slide into an office setting naturally, observe the relationships and see where you fit in.
Domination doesn’t have to be the name of your conversation game, the more you listen to more you learn. The less you speak, the more people assume you know.
Difficult Coworker Trait #6. Oblivious to Others
The office is not the place to warm up last night’s dinner of fish and broccoli. I know you have to eat but try to be conscious of the people around you, especially if the microwave is in the same area that you work. You don’t want to be looked at in disdain every time you walk to microwave. We’re all guilty, I LOVE burnt popcorn. I know… can the smell get any worse?
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Difficult Coworker Trait #7. The Bestie Seeker
You don’t need best friends at work. Of course you need acquaintances and friendly faces but be careful about getting way too familiar with people. There’s no reason to share your life story, let people ask about you. You are a mystery until you open your mouth.
Be aware of these possible outcomes:
- You get roped into happy hours and going out to lunch.
- Your boss no longer views you as an individual.
- Everyone has a side hustle, don’t get conned into one you don’t believe in.
- You get into an argument and your sanctuary state is destroyed.
When you are too friendly with your coworkers, a promotion could get ignored. ‘Wait, wait, I’m friends with everyone! I know a lot about different departments!” Well… unfortunately, to upper management, that might actually make you undesirable as a boss. Too chummy can mean possibly biased…always keep it professional.
If someone at work is your best friend today… they might have something else on their mind.
Guard yourself, your career and your family by not looking for besties or relationships at work.
If you are friendly at work, smile and have a positive attitude, that is all anyone wants. It’s easy to win people over! If all else fails, the easiest thing to do whenever you don’t know what to say is to ASK QUESTIONS, ask about anything. Most people love talking about themselves and if you let them, they love you for it.
Have you experienced these personalities at work? What have you done to avoid these people?
Just remember no one is beyond help, and you never know who will get promoted next. Be as diplomatic in the office as possible.
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Questions and comments are always welcome. I really hope this post inspired you.
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