June 28, 2009

Want To Know How To Get Along With People You Don't Like?

No matter where you work there are going to be people you don't get along with. No one can get along with everyone. It's just not possible. We are all different and react differently to different people. Either way you can't act like you dislike someone at work. It causes tension and drama. So you have to make sure your job isn't compromised based on your dislikes of other co-workers.

Since you can't avoid coming across these people who are simply hard to work with, you might as well equip yourself with skills to be able to handle the situation in a professional manner.

1. Don't Control Everything

Unless you're a high-ranking officer in your company, you do not have the privilege of giving direct orders to your co-workers and instructing them on the right way to perform their responsibilities. You really can't do much to change other people's attitude towards work or modify the way they do their jobs.

The only thing you can do is to finish your own tasks to the best of your abilities and hope that they start changing their ways.

2. Resolve Conflicts Through Spoken Communication

For some people, a direct confrontation is the most effective way to resolve issues. Others prefer talking on the phone. Both of these methods are fine, but you might want to avoid attempting to solve the problem via email.

Written words may sound harsher than you originally meant. If you have no choice but to send an email, make sure that you read your message to yourself before hitting the send button. Review the email and make sure that it won't sound accusatory or angry.

3. Don't Gossip About The Person

People are naturally attracted to juicy news about individuals other than themselves. Even if you just tell a single person about your issues, it won't take 15 minutes for the news to travel in hushed tones throughout the office.

Make sure before you speak that it's not gossip. If it is stay quiet. This is the only way to avoid spreading rumors, or having rumors spread about you.

4. Don't Hold Grudges Against Your Co-workers

Let go of bad feelings. You can't hold grudges in the workplace. It doesn't do any good to anyone.

Feeling these negative emotions will have unwanted effects on your work productivity, so it will be best for you to just let the feelings go and concentrate on more vital issues.

You can reverse your anger by thinking positive thoughts and keeping your mind focused on completing your own job assignments.

5. Make A List Of Reasons Why You Don't Like A Particular Co-worker

This may seem like an unnecessary and overindulgent thing to do, but this is an effective way of staying unaffected by your co-worker's actions. As soon as an item makes it to the list, do not allow your mind to think of it again.

Create your list in a clear and orderly manner. In case you choose to file a formal complaint against your office-mate, this list can serve as a supporting document.

As in all the other aspects of life, your work will always bring you in contact with people you don't like. Learn to ignore them rather than be irked at their imperfections, and work in the office will go as smoothly as ever.