Colleagues – dontcha just love them!  Except, that is, when they get on your nerves.  We’ve uncovered some guidance on using the emotionally intelligent response for coping with colleagues.  How many of these do you recognise?

The Egomaniac

You will know this type, who always hogs the limelight and never gives any credit for anything to anyone else.  They basically put others down to make themselves feel better. 

Telling they are wrong won’t prevent their behaviour repeating in the future.  The psychologically smart way to handle them is to positively reward their good behaviour, rather than criticise their annoying traits.

The Gossip

When gossip develops into rumours and dramas, it creates negativity, and raises suspicions about other co-workers. 

The recommended coping strategy is to challenge the accuracy of any gossip, asking for verification – ‘how do you know that? – or just leave the conversation.

The Eternal Pessimist

Everything is doom and gloom, spreading negativity across the whole work place.  Often, the pessimist is just wanting to be heard.

Acknowledging their feelings may help them.  You don’t have to agree with them, but saying ‘if I were you, I may feel the same way’ may help – or try asking them if they have thought of a solution to the problem they are complaining about.

The Lazy Incompetent

Everyone has come across this one – we don’t need to describe this co-worker!

The emotionally intelligent response is to understand their motivations, and work on those.  Someone who values autonomy and freedom won’t respond well to being told to do something by a deadline.  They may, however, respond better to a challenge – ‘that’s a very tight deadline, I bet no-one thinks we could hit it’…

The Bully

The boss who abuses their position of power and treats their workers with disrespect; or those who seek to humiliate others, we’ve all seen this in action.

Typically the bully is looking for a reaction – so the smart response is to not give them one, making them more likely to stop.  If they don’t, collect evidence to prove your case to HR or more senior staff.

And we’d love to hear your strategies for coping with colleagues… let us know on our Facebook page here.