Every workplace has people who can be hard to deal with and they can have a negative effect on the organisation.
That being said, it’s important to familiarise yourself with these types of people so that you will be better equipped to manage your career, while protecting your own interests.
Generally broken down into eight complex personalities, here are the types of colleagues you need to be aware of and some tips on how to deal with them.
1. Gossipmongers
The gossipmonger is one of the most common types in almost every office environment. These are the people who like to get their hands on the news and seek recognition from talking about other people (usually exaggerated rumours behind their backs).
Be cautious when talking to the office gossip. They are probably already talking about you behind your back. Be diplomatic and create space with these personalities to stay out of trouble.
“Gossip is generally the gossiper’s perception of someone. It can be hurtful and may hinder your productivity. Treat gossip like a boon in disguise and try to use it to your advantage. Be careful about how you are being perceived by co-workers; look for hidden clues during conversations, especially by the water cooler!” – Srishti Moudgil
2. Guilt trippers
Guilt trippers can be toxic to work relationships. They are great at making people feel bad about something, use it to manipulate others into doing what they want and push responsibilities onto others whenever things get difficult.
They rarely acknowledge their mistakes, make poor decisions and will do their best to make people believe their version of the story is true even when it is not.
To protect yourself, always save soft and hard copies of your original work. Keep your work as confidential as possible to avoid getting sabotaged or worse, getting blamed for trouble that you are not involved in. If you are accused of something, relay the matter to your superior or HR department to resolve it.
3. Melodramatic co-workers
The drama queens or kings proclaim their emotions loudly and long to draw attention, and their speech and behaviour are often exaggerated to gain sympathy from colleagues.
Oftentimes, you can have a good time with these individuals outside of work but in the workplace, they are usually unreliable about keeping up with their tasks and much of their decision-making is based on their emotional standpoint, making them indecisive.
“Despite their efforts to involve you, there is nothing you can do to change them because changing them means trying to change personal histories, which is not possible. It’s done. It’s over. So, don’t try. You’ll exhaust yourself. Each dramatic person must decide for him or herself to embark on a road of self-awareness and growth.
“If he or she doesn’t, things will never change. The only thing you can do is manage yourself, which is where doing nothing comes into play. Know how to draw a line and when to walk away. Don’t be afraid to say that you’re not up for the drama. That choice is yours to make and when you do, they will disengage from the behaviour — at least with you.” — Fatima Raza Khan
4. The obsessive-compulsive
Nitpicky co-workers do exist. So does a superior who constantly criticises the way you do things. Such people sometimes have some form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and want to be in control of everything and anyone.
They often overstep their boundaries to justify getting things done on their own terms, even if it is not under their remit. With their high expectations and the desire to be perfectionists, their personality can be a nuisance sometimes.
Their controlling nature can backlog job tasks when they pick on the smallest issues, so the best way to deal with them is to praise them for their commitment and effort but advise them on maintaining a balance.
5. The victim
This individual gets noticed when they complain once too many times and claim to be a victim when things go wrong. Be patient when talking to such individuals and stop them from repeatedly complaining about the same issue. They like to ruminate on things.
Empathise with them but don’t let them tire you out. Be firm about not getting involved in their wet blanket sessions when it gets too overwhelming.
6. The self-doubter
People who doubt themselves assume the worst in most situations. They tend to be suspicious of people’s actions and their motives, and waste their energy worrying about issues before a decision is made. But, it is possible to help them see the good side.
Don’t try to alter their perception of reality, even if does not sit well with you. Just offer an explanation or share updates for their information. The best approach is to try and communicate effectively with self-doubters to ensure both sides are on the same page.
7. The narcissist
Working with a narcissistic colleague can be one of the most annoying experiences. These individuals tend to have a sense of entitlement, lack empathy for the opinions of others and demand praise. They like to take control of the situation and build themselves up regardless of how it affects their relationships with the people they work with.
”If you’re sure the person you’re dealing with is someone with narcissistic characteristics, ignoring them is a preferable option.” – Teguh Li
8. The detrimental individual
Detrimental individuals tend to inflict harm on others through deceit and manipulation. They grab any opportunity to get things done regardless if it’s unethical or illegal. It is best to steer clear of them.
There is nothing you can do to change their behaviour but at the very least you can save yourself. Do not reveal any important information to them as they could use it to affect your career or the company.
This article first appeared in jobstore.com.
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