"Before someone can treat you like a doormat, you have to lie down first."
One thing we often forget about teamwork is that you don't have to like everyone on your team to work effectively with them. It helps, but in any group, you'll probably find someone who rubs you at least slightly the wrong way. One of humanity's greatest strengths, however, is ability to put aside our differences to further a greater cause -- whether that means building a wall 13,000 miles long or building a world-class corporation. You'll almost always have co-workers you simply don't like. This doesn't mean they can't do their jobs well; we've all known curmudgeons who were geniuses, or smug apple-polishers who did award-winning work. Indeed, high talent and IQ don't always translate to high emotional intelligence. What are you going to do about it?
I've read numerous articles advising readers not to take any guff from insufferable co-workers -- only to then suggest "killing them with kindness," appealing to their narcissism, or otherwise going along to get along. I won't tell you to buckle under -- unless you absolutely have to. If your supervisor gives you grief, then yes, you may have to grin and bear it to a degree. But you're also likely to disengage, and that's no way to reach for the pinnacle of performance. I recommend these six simple strategies for dealing effectively with most sourpusses and troublemakers at work: You're almost certainly going to be a "team player" for most of your career; so when someone rubs you the wrong way, look to one of these tips to guide you to a more enjoyable work situation. Always try Tip #1 first. If it doesn't work, keep trying other strategies until you find one that does, whether it's on this list or not.
About the Author: Laura Stack is a high-energy International Keynote Speaker. Bestselling author of six books. Leading Expert in performance and productivity. Audience favorite for thousands year-after-year. Go-to resource to increase sales. Build teams. Grow customer bases. Nurture leadership. And help people achieve more in less time with more balance (and less stress) than ever before. Fun, dynamic, and driven -- and perfect for your next event. Contact her at www.TheProductivityPro.com.
-- Dear Abby, American advice columnist.Overcoming Human Obstacles
Don't Just Cave
Civil Teamwork