Oh, For a Peaceful Workplace

The workplace can be a minefield where you need to tread with care. You have to work with and get along with co-workers to be effective in your job.

However, difficult co-workers can make life unbearable for you. If you are in this situation, how can you survive? How do you deal with it? The article gives some pointers.

You’ve landed your dream job and taken to it with enthusiasm. However, a month into the new position, you wonder if you made a mistake in leaving your last job.

Some of your co-workers are making life very difficult for you. How should you handle the situation?

1. Do a background check

Why is a co-worker hostile? Don’t jump to conclusions about their behavior. Don’t be judgmental. Take time to unearth the real reason behind their negative behavior.

Could it be you took the position they thought was theirs for the taking? Or perhaps you displaced the only person in the organization to whom they connected.

2. Make your feelings known

Talk to the difficult co-worker one-on-one. Be friendly. You could offer your help with something on which they are working. Invite them for coffee or share a snack.

Do not expect instant results, though. It could take time to break down the barriers. But if you persist, you could gain a friend and an ally in the workplace.

3. Look after yourself

Eat a healthy diet, exercise, get a good night’s rest, and take care of your emotional and spiritual health. Have a life outside the workplace.

If need be, seek professional counseling. Look for help outside the workplace. Seek the counsel of an independent person who is not part of the set-up at work.

4. Do a brutal, honest, self-examination

Is there something in your upbringing, your love life, or your current status that makes you react in a certain way to some conditions? Do you respond to certain kinds of people or situations negatively?

Learn to manage your emotions and thoughts positively. Use the difficult situation at work to mature emotionally and professionally.

5. Is it worth your time?

Not all situations are worth a fight. Sometimes the best solution is to ignore the annoyance and rise above the circumstances. Save your energy for the battles that count.

Do not let the office bullies manipulate you. Do not give them the satisfaction of seeing you all worked up. If they cannot push you to react according to their plan, they will give up and look for their next target.

6. Talk to Human Resources (HR)

If the situation warrants it, you may need to involve your supervisor or HR. Let HR or your supervisor mediate between you and the difficult co-worker.

Be prepared to sit and listen to your co-worker’s side of the story without interrupting. You could discover that the whole thing is a misunderstanding that can be resolved by bringing it out into the open.

Bottom Line

Deal with every situation individually. In some instances, you need to speak up; while in others, you need to rise above the pettiness. Don’t allow yourself to be manipulated.

Be aware of office politics and take time to study the situation. Don’t be the new kid on the block who rattles everyone.

Scrutinize the motives of difficult co-workers and be aware of workplace politics. Don’t get sucked into pointless ego battles.

However, don’t be a doormat. Stand up for yourself and gain the respect of your co-workers. In all this, do a sterling job. Don’t forget the job you were hired to do. Make sure you cannot be faulted for your productivity.

Thank you for reading!

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