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What makes a co-worker so difficult?

Home » Human Resources » Dealing With Difficult People: Your Peers » What makes a co-worker so difficult?

Oh, where to begin! Ask anyone, and you�ll likely hear a litany of complaints about co-workers. Our peers in the office annoy us on so many levels, starting with talking too much, leaving old food in the refrigerator, and gossiping. Then there�s the level of not pulling their weight, wasting time, messing up projects, and so on. And the truly difficult co-workers�those who take credit for your work, spread ill will about you, and meddle with your future�take annoying to a whole new level.

Some annoyances are just that�petty, easy to ignore, and not worth your stress. Others are not only bothersome, but are just plain destructive to you, your company, and the clients you serve. Difficult co-workers come in several different forms. See any of your peers in this list?

Bad-mouth Bob: Bob tries to make himself look better, by making you look bad. Any little tidbit he can pass on to put you down, whether it�s your personal life, your work habits, or anything else he deems destructive, gets talked about�whether it�s true or not. He probably is friendly with you; remember, that�s how he gets the basis for his slander.
Chatty Patty: This person doesn�t understand the meaning of quiet time. She is always stopping by for a chat, whenever she feels like it, regardless of what you�re trying to accomplish. She�s generally friendly and enjoyable, but just doesn�t let you get much done.
No-limits Lilly: Lilly doesn�t know when to quit. She talks about anything and everything, it doesn�t matter how personal. You really don�t need to hear about her doctor�s appointment or the fight with her boyfriend, but she�s going to tell you anyway. And she expects to hear every detail of your life. Be ready for some intrusive questions.
Steal-em Steve: Steve steals every idea he comes across, then works hard to pass them off as his own. This destructive and manipulative person wants personal gain, and he doesn�t care who he steals from to get it.

Of course, you could probably add a hundred things to this list from personal experience. Luckily, there are some ways to combat, or at least lessen, the damage from difficult peers.

Next Page: How should I handle these peers?

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