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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

5 Types of Difficult People You Meet in the Office


I went to the back Indian Restaurant this morning to have breakfast. Two tables from me seated one guy from account that joined the company before me. Even though we work together but I never talk to him. I don’t know what’s wrong, but we never talk. There are some people that you feel nice to talk to. But there are certain people that if you have a choice, you will never talk to them. I think office life consist of several types of peoples. Mostly WEIRD peoples. People that you don’t believe existed in this circle of life. Like there is one lady in my office (I’m not going to mention name...), she is so secretive of what she eating. I only went out for lunch with her once. Other time she will wait until the office area or maybe her department to vacant, and then you will see she takes out her food container. But what’s inside, nobody knows.
I like to categorize all these weird people in the office. Which I think every office must have, at least one.

The Chatterbox (the Key Poh Chi)
Let's start with your most affable coworker. The chatterbox usually means well. She is friendly and wants to share all her thoughts (every last one of them) with you. She isn't trying to cause harm to anyone ... her incessant talking is just keeping you from concentrating on your work. Here are some things you can do to quiet down your chattering co-worker so you can get your job done. Rather than risk insulting your colleague, put the blame on yourself. Tell your coworker you have trouble concentrating while you are listening to her very engaging stories. You'd love to hear them at some other time, just not while you're working. Then, if you truly enjoy her company, have lunch with her once a week.
The Gossip (the ASTRO satellite dish)
The gossip seems to know everything about everyone and she wants to share it. Should you listen to what your gossiping colleague has to say? Yes, you should listen to it since it is often a good way to hear news that may not make it through more formal information channels. The problem with gossip is that it carries both elements of truth and untruth, so view it with a cynical eye. Listen to your gossipy coworker quietly. Don't become a gossip too. However, if the gossip being shared is of a very personal nature, for example she shares with you news of another coworker's marital problems, change the subject or say that you don't feel right discussing someone behind his back.

The Complainer (the Karam Singh)
There's always one person in a group who can never find anything about which to be happy. If she's not complaining about her health or her family, she's complaining about her job, the company, or your boss. Of course, some of her complaints may be legitimate, but the incessant whining is getting on your nerves. Generally, the complainer isn't looking for advice so offering it probably won't do any good. Change the subject whenever the belly-aching begins. Your colleague should get the hint after you do this repeatedly.
The Delegator (Mr. I-Belanja-You-La)
In almost every workplace you'll find someone who wants to share his work with his colleagues. We're not talking about those who have a legitimate reason to delegate work to others, for example managers or team leaders. We are speaking of those who either can't do all the work they have been given or don't want to do it. If team work is encouraged in your office and you have time to help your colleague you should. However, if managers are the only ones who have the authority to delegate and you already have your hands full, then you have to turn down the request. Tell your coworker you have your own work with which to deal.
The Credit Grabber (Mr. This-One-All-I-Do)
The credit grabber does not acknowledge any help she receives from others. She accepts all the praise for a project without mentioning that she didn't do it alone. The first time this happens, consider it a mistake. Mention it to your colleague and ask her to let others know about your participation. If she doesn't, or if this happens again, make sure you let others know about the role you played in getting a project done. Then, unless you are mandated to work with this person, refuse to help out again.

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