EPISODE 18 (50) TOXIC TURNOFF - dealing with difficult work colleagues

Andrew introduces the Triple T or Total Toxic Turnoff at work.

These are people whose attitude and behaviour can drag an entire organisation through the mud.  Or undermine individuals and even teams.

It's essential, says Andrew, not to stay passive in the face of such people. Instead,  speak up and help to mobilise action.

You won't regret it, and most of your colleagues will be in your debt!

How do you deal with toxic colleagues who don't quite qualify for being labelled a Triple T?

Andrew says to reframe them and stop seeing them as insoluble problems. Instead, try to figure out what they offer and where all this angst is coming from.

Searching for this information will help reduce your resentment about their behaviour.

No matter how much you like your job, it doesn't mean that all your co-workers will be a pleasure to work with.  The main point Andrew stresses are never let interpersonal problems affect your professionalism.

He ends the Podcast with the usual three practical actions you can take about toxic colleagues: 

1)  Examine your behaviour before blaming the other person as difficult
2)  Communicate the issues you are having to the other person in a discreet way
3) Ask a senior person for help if you can't solve the issue independently.

Additional Material

In her book Jerks at Work, social psychologist Tessa West reveals her findings after 20 years of studying different "jerk" personality types.

Understanding them is "a bit like profiling a serial killer.  You need to get into your jerk's head to learn what makes them tick."

She also offers a quiz to determine whether you might be the jerk at work!

Other professionals who have studied the toxic jerk at work say that the worst offences of workplace culture occur because many of us are unwittingly acting out our grievances. We have long-buried wounds from our childhood. 

No amount of working from home (WFH) or work habits can protect you from idiots and other toxic contenders.  You can't avoid encountering annoying people at work, so figure out a strategy for dealing with them.

As one commentator puts it: "The bogey (wo)man is rarely as bad in person as they are in your imagination. You can WFH. But you can't hide."

Reference: V.Gloskop, You can WFH, but you can't hide from jerks as work, Financial Times,

Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.

Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at

www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading

and

www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.

BOOK:
The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts.
It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years.
Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.

www.myhappinessatwork.com/book