Dealing with Annoying Co-Workers - Assignment Example

RUNNING HEADER: How to Deal with Annoying Coworkers How to Deal with Annoying Coworkers BY YOU YOUR SCHOOL INFO HERE HERE How to Deal with Annoying Coworkers There was an individual in the workplace who fit the profile of the interrupter, who would repeatedly offer advice and criticism when the coworker believed that she would be left out of knowledge sharing or interoffice gossip. When matters of customer service were being discussed with management as a means of problem resolution, the coworker would always interject with how to proceed even when the solution did not meet policy guidelines.

Over time, the individual was simply ignored, hoping that they would eventually get the message that the discussion did not require input. The article, however, offers that such an individual should be told to wait while attempting to gain input from the appropriate party. If necessary, a forceful tone that suggests input from the individual is not necessarily warranted was the suggested solution (Green, 2011). The second type of individual encountered is the know-it-all. In personal experience, one individual in the student’s social circle always had advice and opinion on every topic ranging from politics to religion.

Traditionally, this individual was confronted while others in the social group tried to negate their stand on the issue as a means of dressing them down and illustrating humility. However, Green (2011) argues that one should simply ignore this individual and take comfort in knowing that the know-it-all likely bothers everyone else also. The third type of person encountered is the slacker. In personal experience, many student projects assigned have required team methods where everyone in the group must perform their unique tasks.

When an individual is not pulling their part of the process, it was customary to confront them as if in a managerial position to get them to comply to task management. However, Green again suggests that the individual should be ignored, as management might be already well aware of their transgressions and supposed laziness. The student has also encountered the grump profile. In many different environments, the grump causes others to lose positivity and objectivity because of their poor attitude.

It has been customary to tell the individual to lighten up or look on the bright side, which rarely works. Green suggests this individual should be given a hefty dose of positive attitude and humor as a means of getting them to smile and be more upbeat and cooperative. The fifth type of person is the blabbermouth, one who talks constantly and interrupts professionalism and task management. One time, the student worked with other students on academic projects who would try to turn study periods into social clique formation.

They were allowed to maintain control rather than being confronted. The author argues that these people should be told firmly that time is of the essence and the individual needs to return back to their tasks which take priority (Green, 2011). Another author suggests being more evasive, looking at one’s watch and then simply stating, “I have to go now” and walking away quickly (Pemberton, 2005). The last type of person was the speakerphone lover. In personal experience, I worked with someone who seemed to want everyone to hear her conversation as a means of humiliating the caller.

Dealing with this was usually getting management intervention, which caused conflict and social problems. Green suggests telling this person to simply turn down the phone as it is difficult to concentrate effectively. References Green, Alison. (2011). “How to Deal with Annoying Coworkers”. U.S. News. Retrieved July 30, 2012 from http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2011/06/06/how-to-deal-with-annoying-co-workers Pemberton, Patrick A. (2005). “How to Deal with Annoying Coworkers”.

Knight Ridder. Retrieved July 29, 2012 from http://viscusi.com/press/press_fortwayne.php