...Or Hardly Working Tip of the Day: Working with The Office Grouch

I think we've all run into this problem, as it's very common. There's always one to every office and unfortunately you may have to actually interact with this person more frequently than you'd like. In either case, I'm talking about the office grump --The "Oscar" of your cubicle block so to speak. How do you handle said party pooper whose always gushing negativity, telling you what he will or will not do, and complaining about every little thing? Below are two scenarios and a few tips to get you through your work day. Hope you find them helpful.

Mr. Grinch is late on an assignment and your boss tells you that you're responsible for collecting it:

1. Do Not Panic: Your first step is to send Mr. Meany an email as soon as you learn your mission. If he doesn't respond in a timely manner, unfortunately this means you will need to confront him. Don't be afraid. Grouches can sense fear and if he gets a whiff that you're even slightly nervous, you've lost the battle before you even pic up a weapon.

2. Approach with Moxy: Confidently approach the grump and firmly state your business.

3. Control the Convo: Before he can fix his tight lips to rebut, tell him your manager has put you in charge of this project and that you need his input as soon as possible. In fact give him a deadline. Tell him you really wish you could be more flexible, but your hands are tied.

4. Get In and Get Out: After you've told him your business and set the deadline, leave posthaste! You don't want to be around for the complaints that are bound to begin pouring out of the grump's mouth. More importantly, this doesn't give the grump a chance to hunt for any weak points in your stance.

You have to work closely with the mean girl on a new project:

1. Make like a duck: In this instance you've gotta develop a tough skin thick enough to let crap roll off of you like water off a duck's back.

2. Never respond in kind: If she's always packing attitude, not being cooperative and shooting down your ideas, just let it go. Never react and mirror her negative attitude. It doesn't help anything and may get you into trouble. Try being as diplomatic as possible. Remind her of the deadline, which may help get the ball rolling.

3. Ask to work with someone else, or on a different assignment: Hey, sometimes it's impossible to work with grouchy people. Pull your manager aside and tell him what the deal is. Make sure you have facts to back up the reason you want to switch partners, or else you'll be stuck.

4. Get to know the Grinch: That's right you read it! Maybe the Grinch is a nice guy deep down. Try to find out more about him. Does he have a family? Does he enjoy his job? What are his hobbies? You'd be surprised at what you'll find out if you take the time to learn about your co-worker!

Hope these tips start you on the path to a better relationship with the resident office Negative Nancy. And if all else fails, make sure to keep your resume updated and active on those nifty job search sites! (but that's no guarantee of escape either) If you have any tips leave them in the comment box. We'd love to hear them.

-the gurus










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Can you repeat that?

Have you ever worked with someone who was hard of hearing, but didnt want to admit it? Well, I do and let me tell you, it bites! It's so hard not to say, "Sir, you know you have a hearing problem, right?" They try to act like they can hear just as well as everyone else.

We at OHW have worked hard to remain below the radar and come and go to the office without being detected. Those hard of hearing will ruin your anonymity and possibly your whole work day! How? Like this:

1. They force you to speak loud enough for others to hear you through the cube walls
2. They make you repeat yourself so now people are actually able to recognize your voice
3. You can't even have a conversation that isn't related to work because you have to talk so loud, your boss can definitely hear you now

It's so annoying to have to not only repeat myself, but to yell what Im trying to say to a person less than 15 feet away from me. I hate this....

It's 3:45pm on a Friday, LEAVE ME ALONE!

I understand, you don't want to go home for the weekend because you'll have to spend it with the family you've built. This is why you are calling just before I am out the door with 15 minutes to go, with a conversation that is bound to last for 45 minutes!

Look, I want to go home, and I will go home when the clock allows it. I could care less if your kids have Karate practice or your spouse is sick with the flu, and you don't want to deal with it. You will not keep me from leaving my office when I am allowed!

Why are you calling or stopping by this late on a Friday anyway?You know that people are getting ready to leave the office. Why didn't you finish your project this morning? Oh yea, you were yammering your mouth this morning and now you want to bother me. Hardly!!!

Here is what you should do... Stop procrastinating and get your work done early. Leave me alone. I know that I am on the clock, but you're breaking an unspoken rule, "When Friday's time is winding, don't come arriving!"

Guru Rant: The Whisperers

Look, let's get one thing clear... I could care less about any statement that could come out of your pie-hole. I have more important things not to do. But if you continue to whisper when I walk down the aisle or come back to my cubicle, I will start to think that you are talking about me.

Nope, I will not think that you are talking about something that you don't want anybody else to know. I will think that you are talking about me. Why? Because this place doesn't matter at all to me. Do you see any pictures of my family on my desk? Nope, and there's a very good reason for that. I don't have any pictures of my coworkers on my fireplace.

Oh, and if you are going to whisper, please, just shut up. Because you obviously can't do your job right, and now, you can't whisper properly? Stop gossiping! That's some High School nonsence that a fellow Guru just touched on. Damn Whisperers...