The average Filipino worker took 6 years of primary education, 4 years of secondary education and another 4 years of tertiary education. However, most probably around 14 years of education will not prepare you for what is in store for you when you enter the corporate world. Once you sign that dotted line above your printed name in your first company contract, you are not only welcomed to the world of the overworked and the underpaid, the glory of taxes but most frighteningly you are welcomed to the wonderful world of office drama. Chismis or office gossip is one of the scariest aspects of saying goodbye to your pencils, your books and your terror professors. If you thought that you have probably seen it all when your high school best friend snubbed you during your college years or when friend A suddenly went out with your boyfriend, well think again! In the office you will experience backstabbing up to the highest degree and you will meet a lot of phonies that will make your work life miserable and unbearable. In the corporate world, almost everyday is like a fresh new episode of Gossip Girl.
Hard to deal with co-workers come in a variety of forms. Some talk constantly and never listen. Others must always have the last word. Some coworkers fail to keep commitments. Others criticize anything that they did not create. Difficult coworkers compete with you for power, privilege and the spotlight; some go way too far in courting the boss’s positive opinion – to your diminishment. Some coworkers attempt to undermine you and you constantly feel as if you need to watch your back. Your boss plays favorites and the favored party lords it over you; people form cliques and leave you out. Difficult people and situations exist in every work place; but don’t be scared. Experts have agreed that there are ways of making your office life, if not filled with love, at the very least livable.
Dealing with difficult co-workers is easier when the person is just generally obnoxious or when the behavior affects more than one person; however, dealing with difficult people is much tougher when they are attacking you or undermining your professional contribution. Based from articles addressing the issue of office drama, experts agree that the best thing to do once you see yourself in a difficult situation at work is to address the problem, confront the person and deal with the situation.
Initially, people go into shock when they are treated unprofessionally, so if you take some time to understand exactly what is happening to you, you are not alone. But always remember though that it is always best to address the difficult person while you can maintain some objectivity and emotional control rather than being irrational and emotional. This type of behavior will only make you appear immature and unprofessional. Also avoid complaining or expressing your anger out loud. Constant complaining about the coworker or situation can quickly earn you the title of whiner or complainer. Managers wonder why you are unable to solve your own problems – even if the manager’s tolerance or encouragement of the situation is part of the problem. Most importantly, if you are in a constant conflict at work, you may not only get blamed for being immature but you may be labeled as a “difficult” person, as well. This label is hard to escape and can have devastating consequences for your career. Extreme situations might even make you lose your job. If you have confronted the employee and were able to say your peace and the situation still hasn’t improved, just limit your interactions with the difficult person so as to avoid conflict.
Bad behavior from co-workers and sometimes even bosses are unavoidable in any organization; however, reversing the situation to your favor is always possible in any given scenario. Just be firm and be true to your convictions. A little office politics also never hurt anyone, just be careful not to go overboard.
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