Being new to an office, it is not easy to identify and fully explore all about the coworkers. Some of them may be helpful, some jealous, or even indifferent. After settling for about 3 months in my new office, I came in touch with a few aggressive employees. Since the project I was working on involved dealing with some on daily basis, I came across some rude comments or inappropriate demands from them. Though I initially ignored them, slowly I realized that somewhere inside, all day I did was think about giving them a big fight back. This affected my efficiency and creativity.
But an incident changed my whole approach towards the issue. One of my aggressive co workers had a big argument over an official matter with another friend at lunch time. To my surprise, I saw the two of them having lunch together as friends the very next hour. When asked, the aggressive coworker replied that official matters, issues, workload, arguments and frustrations are just a part of job. If one carries all that as a burden in one’s head, one can’t survive. The best way is to let go the steam and accept the uniqueness of behaviors of different people. Each co worker, boss, subordinate employee has a unique personality, which has both positive as well as negative aspects to it. One should hence try to learn and improve by learning the positives and ignoring the negatives.
The following points may help to make the situations better
Learn to accept criticism
Team leaders, seniors, or any more experienced people are paid salaries to keep a tab on your work, and point out your mistakes, if any. This is a normal part of their routine and hence should not be taken as a violation of your personal freedom.
Do not take stuff personally
We live in a world full of differences. Everything around us is not always to our liking. So are the people around us- be it a boss, junior, or a coworker-all have unique characteristics and all of them respond differently to different situations and circumstances. If someone’s act or decision is not acceptable to you, or seems in-genuine, and no one else except you is protesting, think twice before raising your voice or complaining. Learn to accept the fact that the same things can be achieved by applying different methods. If you take everything personally and expect everything to happen your way, you are living in a fool’s paradise. Better learn to accept the change.
Team Work
I observed two groups in my office; usually conflicting over trivial matters like what should be the room temperature of the Air conditioner, what should be the volume of the public address system in the office, which newspaper, which internet connection – and so on. One day, an employee of our office had to leave the job and a small snacks and tea farewell party was organized in her honor. The whole scenario suddenly changed. Both the seemingly rival groups enjoyed the food in the cramped pantry, and no one could complain, since everything was audible to everyone. As each of us took turns to describe our experiences with the parting colleague, all of us wished her a good future. One of the older employee however, mentioned the bad experiences he had with her, but in the end requested her to forget all the bad things and take back happy memories with her. When ever you feel angry or bugged, or feel like murdering some one at work. Just think about your farewell party.
Learn to appreciate good things around you
Everyone has problems in his her life. Everyone gets up in the morning with a reason and a question in his/her mind-how to find a job, how to feed a family, how to get rid of bad habits, how to get rid of an abusive husband/wife; everyone of us lives in a sphere completely different from others and despite the best efforts, negativity and despair do creep in to our lives. Instead of making things difficult and more complicated by cribbing about it, one should try to take life lightly and look at the funny side of it. Sharing jokes, tit bits, funny anecdotes and keeping a humorous approach not only keeps you at the center of attraction, but it also helps to increase productivity and decrease any friction.
Spread the buzz
Get creative. Share with others any motivational episodes, or any good things you can. Observe a no complaint day once a week, create a laughter club, go on an outing – you can do a lot.
