Team Conflicts: 6 Tips to Keep Your Sanity and Make a Good Impression
Article provided by Brand-Yourself.com
So, remember all of that stuff that we were taught in grade school about working on a team? The whole idea that we, as children and later as adults, we’re supposed to look past differences, failings of others, and other general attitude unpleasantries in order to function as a single unit? Apparently, some people never got that memo. We’ve all had to work with them at some point – the arrogant and seemingly worthless individual who somehow still keeps a job or the resident next-top-model wannabe who thinks that low cut tops compensate for a total lack of creativity and good work ethic? It’s unfortunate, but these people must be dealt with and in such a way as to make you look good instead of like the office bickerer. Here are some simple things to remember the next time the office busybody gets in your face about your poor work ethic since you didn’t eat lunch at your desk (even though everybody else did).
1. Avoid office cliques. People tend to divide over issues based on group loyalty as much as they do for principles. It is tempting (and maybe unconscious) to side with the group that you feel the most connected with even if they don’t have the best solution. Stay focused on the key issues and evaluate options with an open mind.
2. Don’t let situations escalate. Getting into a shouting match doesn’t impress the boss and will not win you friends or help make a point. If you cannot handle the situation with self-control, walk away and calm down. Later you and your colleague can calmly and rationally address the issue.
3. Ask a neutral observer to mediate. If you find yourself in a verbal dispute in the office, ask a co-worker from a different department to help. The impartial individual will be better able to break the issue into its basic and most important elements.
4. Don’t be afraid of head-to-head competition. Avoid lambasting your competition with petty accusations. If you feel that the person chosen for a specific task is not the best choice, suggest that you and he or she each do the task allowing the boss to chose whose project is best. Your willingness to prove your ability instead of simply assuming your superiority will impress the boss.
5. Respect personality differences. Everyone can’t have the same attitude – some must be willing to follow and lead. The occasionally overly aggressive self-starter may not realize that his or her enthusiasm and up front way of handling issues seems abrasive to other co-workers. Likewise, the quiet, retiring individual in the office does not understand that his or her shyness appears as snobbery and aloofness to some colleagues. Try to see things as someone else does, and petty slights can be more easily understood.
6. Don’t expect others to be mind readers. If you consistently have issues with one particular co-worker, figure out specifically what about his or her attitude or manner of conducting business is irritating. Take the time when both of you are not busy to explain (not lecture) what bothers you. It may be surprising to learn that the person didn’t even realize how he or she was being perceived.
Dealing with office “team” conflicts is just an unfortunate part of work life. It sucks, may not be your fault, but keep these tips in mind the next time you want to fly off at a co-worker. Personal control will get you noticed in a positive way by your boss and (most) colleagues.
Bethany Stringer is a graduate of Texas A&M University (class of ’08) and has her B.A. in English Literature with minors in History and Psychology. Writing her first story at the age of 5 (with help from Mom), Bethany still enjoys writing and researching about everything from business and history to travel and fiction. Enamored with languages, she plans to teach English in Russia in 2010 as a CELTA certified teacher. She owned her own business working horses when she was 17, and still loves riding her horse Romeo. Always appreciating a challenge, she loves sea kayaking and prefers Rachmaninov to Bach.
Article courtesy of Brand-Yourself.com for actionable tips to put you in a position of power in the job market
