Toxic colleagues can be a threat to workplace harmony, and it’s essential to recognize and deal with them. Insulate yourself from their negativity, view the situation clinically, and confront them with questions that encourage solutions. If all else fails, document their toxic activities and report them to management while being aware of any existing company policies or relationships that could be used against you.
Even in the most harmonious workplaces, there are likely to be an employee or two who threaten that harmony. Toxic colleagues can come in the form of supervisors, department heads, employees, or anyone with an assigned function within the office or elsewhere. Learning to recognize and deal with toxic co-workers is not only essential to keeping your job, but also your peace of mind.
The first step in dealing with toxic co-workers is learning to recognize them. In some cases, this is easy to manage. When a colleague is very vocal in criticizing the efforts of others or obviously delights in spreading rumors, it takes little in the way of discernment to realize that the individual is a dividing force in the otherwise happy group. However, a toxic coworker can be much more subtle, sometimes masking criticism over verbiage that on the surface seems to convey concern and caring. While the words may be sweet, the result is rumor and innuendo that can undermine the reputation and trust of others. Look for the results of the individual’s actions and how those actions are instigated, and it will be much easier to determine who is at the root of workplace discontent.
Once you have a good idea of who is spreading dissent and mistrust, start insulating yourself from reacting to the actions of toxic co-workers. This means not letting yourself be visibly swayed by criticism and subtle jabs thrown at you. While you may be boiling with indignation on the inside, stay calm and professional on the outside. Realize that now may not be the time to confront the offender, and give yourself time to calm down. Once you regain a more balanced frame of mind, it will be easier for you to determine how to address and diffuse the situation, without contributing to the problem.
Dealing with toxic coworkers requires that you attempt to view the situation as an uninvolved third party. This helps you put your emotions to one side and assess the situation more clinically. This is actually helpful, as you may notice a few small details that allow you to gain insight into why the co-worker is being so negative. Finding out the root cause can often make it easier to develop a strategy that minimizes the negativity and possibly helps your colleague progressively shift her attitude and become part of the team.
Keep in mind that he rarely fails to deal with toxic co-workers. Trying to ignore the problem is more likely to encourage toxicity, since your coworker may interpret the silence as agreement with your negative statements and behaviors. Confronting the co-worker and then providing some degree of resistance is sometimes enough to make them feel that perhaps there is a different way of seeing and doing things in the workplace and start challenging their own perceptions.
When dealing with toxic co-workers, always use an approach that does not involve backfire. Instead, ask questions that encourage the colleague to think of solutions to problems they enjoy. The idea is to change the colleague’s focus from negative thoughts to participating in creating a better work environment. This may come as a bit of a shock at first and there will definitely be resistance. Over time, constantly asking for input on how to make things better can start to cause small but noticeable changes in how the toxic co-worker interacts with others.
In some cases, no amount of reasoning or trying to turn the bad attitude into something more positive will work. This is especially true when toxic co-workers take great pleasure in damaging the reputations of others. Prepare documentation regarding these toxic activities and confront the originator directly. Make it clear that unless things change, the activity will be reported to a manager or supervisor who can take action.
Make sure you are aware of any existing company policies or relationships between the toxic colleague and senior management that could be used against you. For example, if the negative workplace influence appears to be a relative of the business owner, chances are you will be the one who is disciplined and possibly terminated from employment. If this situation exists, keep as calm as possible while looking for work elsewhere. Removing yourself from this kind of hopeless situation will minimize the strain on your nerves and allow you to move into a situation where there is a better chance of being happy with the place of work.
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