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Surviving Colleagues
IT HAPPENS all the time. People get into jobs and then founder on the rocks of the people they work with. Even if you love what you do, your colleagues can ruin every shred of enjoyment you had. Rude, offensive and irritating co-workers can sap you of energy, joie de vivre and the will to get your work done. It's all very well to hide behind a wall of `professionalism' and not get involved with such people, but sometimes when somebody gets your goat, you find yourself butted into a corner. So, this column is designed for you to `cut and keep' so that you can handle your problem colleague with the handy weapon of this snippet.
The Worrying Whinger
We've all come across this type; forever cribbing about everything, work, play, family and the weather. In the process he brings your spirits down right into the cellar. Handle him right and get on top!
Listen carefully and nod
Do not agree or disagree
Do not offer sympathy
Do not offer advice
Look as if you are using him for
information
Make notes in a small notebook
Don't show it to him
Thank him for the information
This kind of reverse exploitation really discourages the whiner, and eventually, he'll see no benefit in coming to you since he sees only someone who `uses' him. The result? You're safe ever after.
aa@cnkonline.com
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