Last week I shared with you the 15 Office Jerks I have worked with over the years. Something must have resonated as I have received more than 150 comments and 300 likes (thank you!!).
Building on popular demand I have decided to take it a step further and write the next few blogs on how you can deal with each of these different Jerks @ Work. But before I do so let me just share with you my few simple general rules on how to deal with Jerks @ Work.
1. Stonewall the Jerk: as a first step I would suggest not to react and not giving the impression that the jerks behaviour is getting to you
2. Praise the Jerk into his grave: a second stage intervention could be to disarm him with your kindness. To look for the positives and try to praise the positives things about his behaviour.
3. Accept the Jerk as a icon of diversity: luckily the world consists of different people with different styles, preferences and characteristics. Accept that your jerk is just that an expression of diversity.
4. Make the jerk an issue: if the jerks behaviours continue to have an impact on your performance or on the espoused values of the company you have to raise it with your boss. You are responsible to deal with the jerk for whatever you can but at the end your boss is paid to create a conducive work environment and sort the Jerk out.
5. Run as far and fast as possible from the Jerk: if none of the above works you have a responsibility to yourself to leave the jerk. It’s clear that your boss is not able to guide his team to live the values that you want to work by so its better to move on and leave the jerk. Either by moving to another team or if nothing works to another company. Be aware though wherever u go there will always be another jerk so better to exercise and practice step 1-4.
How to deal with the different Jerks @ Work
1. How to Deal with The ‘I’m Always Right’ Jerk
This type of jerk is arrogant, aggressive, egoistic and has a general its-my-way-or-the-highway, attitude.
As a colleague keep your distance and when you have to work together, make sure you state your facts clearly, maybe even put them down on paper so there are not two ways about it. Make your point a few times but this jerk will probably not accept any other way than his, so let him have it. Do make sure your boss is aware of your position or point of view
As a boss provide clear counter arguments and ask him to research / review and present different alternatives. If the jerks keeps on sticking to his own views then just let him execute and if necessary fail. Hopefully he will learn through repeated failures to learn from others.
2. How to Deal with The Sexist Jerk
This type of jerk is aggressive, discriminatory and harasses people.
As a colleague stay away and politely let the jerk know his behavior is offensive. If it becomes too offensive call them out and if it doesnt stop go to your boss and HR and ask them to sort it out.
As a boss you have to really close this one down and fast, zero tolerance is required. Make sure the jerk understands you have no tolerance for sexist behaviour and that if continue you will involve HR and take disciplinary actions that could be a first step in terminating his employment.
3. How to Deal with The Complain Jerk
This type of jerk is pessimistic, tries to find faults in everything and always blames something or somebody else.
As a colleague realises that for every ‘glass-half-full’ person you need a ‘glass-half-empty’ person. Keep yourself emotionally detached as they are ‘positive energy cannibal’. Contradict him as often as you can with something positive. Make clear that you dont want to entertain this jerk complaining about anybody else to you.
As a boss point out the consistent negative perspective to the individual and the impact it has on the psyche of the rest of the team. Don’t let the jerk get away with blaming others, unravel the problem until you have clear visibility on the role of the other. If necessary bring other people from the team in so he doesn’t get away by accusing others.
4. How to Deal with The Tattle Tale Jerk
This type of jerk is generally untrustworthy, flaky, overly friendly and sneaky.
As a colleague keep conversations professional and dont give any reason to gossip about you or your work. If possible appreciate and value the jerks contribution to strengthen your bond with him.
As a boss dont give this person air-time, be clear on that you only want to listen to work related issues and that you are not interested in opinions on others. Make the third person subject of the gossip part of the conversation.
5. How to Deal with The Two-Faced Jerk
This type of jerk is nice and positive to you but complains about you to someone else, is fake a hypocrite, discredits others and often jealous.
As a colleague keep record of the things you do, avoid sharing personal information and build strong relations with other co-workers. Verify what he says with the relevant person and make him known that you are aware of their behaviour.
As a boss don’t give credence to his views and always double check your facts. Check with peers what the person is saying about you and confront him on his behaviour in the presence of the person he has told it to.
Next week, Thursday, I will cover the next 5 Jerks @ Work and what you as a boss can do to Create a Jerk Free Office. Do subscribe if you want to stay updated on the rest of the Jerk @ Work series.
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[…] Thursday, as part of the Jerks @ Work series, we discussed 5 types of office jerks and how to deal with them. Today, I’m going to discuss how you, as the boss or line manager, can reduce or even […]
[…] couple weeks ago, as part of the Jerks @ Work series, we discussed 5 types of office jerks and how to deal with them. Today, I’m going to discuss how you, as the boss or line manager, can reduce or even eliminate […]