Hate Your Co-Worker? Here's How to Make the Best of It

http://www.michaelpage.com.sg

You’ve grown up and joined the professional world. Congratulations! The good news is you get a pay check to spend, cool problems to solve and the challenge of distinguishing yourself. The bad news is being professional means you have to deal with everyone respectfully, even jerks you can’t stand.

You know you can’t just pick up your toys and stomp home when a colleague gets under your skin, but what can you do to make a bad situation better? Forget petty office politics, they’ll just waste your energy and distract you from actually doing your job (In this survey, 47 percent of workers gave office politics as a time waster). Instead author and WSJ columnist Alexandra Levit has a four-step program to handle that problematic work relationship. It’s so sensible, just reading it will start to make you feel more mature about the situation.

Consider the Why — Start by articulating why you don��t like this person.? Did she wrong you in some way? Maybe her way of interacting just irritates you? Be honest with yourself: does she really deserve your ire, or are you being sensitive, jealous, mean-spirited, etc.? Be Empathetic – In the event that the person has earned your malice, take a minute and put yourself in her shoes. Think about what may have happened in her life to cause her to act in a disagreeable manner. Don��t limit yourself to the scant information you have as the person��s colleague �C just because her life seems rosy on the outside doesn��t mean that��s the reality. Look at the Whole Person – Consider what you do like about the person �C a terrific work ethic, quick problem solving ability, a good sense of humor, etc.? Since only a very small percentage of the population is sociopathic, she must have some positive qualities. You may find that once you force yourself to think about these attributes, your feelings may shift and you will genuinely like the person more. In return, she will probably like you more and you will be able to improve the overall dynamic. Try to Resolve Conflicts – If you��ve established an ongoing pattern of negative interactions with a team member, a confrontation may be your best bet. Sit down with the person and acknowledge the tension between you. Ask her what you can do to improve the relationship and see what she says.? Often, this type of discussion will shock a team member into behaving better. If not, stay out of her way as much as you can and don��t take her style personally.? Avoid the temptation to gossip or complain about her to other team members because in the end, this will harm your reputation more than it will hers.

Alexandra Levit: Reinventing Yourself in a Recession is Possible The Office Politics Playbook The Dog Whisperer Way of Dealing with Problem Co-Workers