You’re dealing with a toxic coworker. How can you protect yourself and your work?

1 Identify the problem

The first step is to recognize the signs of a toxic coworker and how they affect you and your work. Do they criticize you unfairly, take credit for your ideas, interrupt you in meetings, or exclude you from important decisions? Do they make you feel anxious, angry, or demotivated? Do they interfere with your productivity, quality, or deadlines? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are dealing with a toxic coworker and you need to take action.

2 Document the evidence

The second step is to document the evidence of the toxic coworker's behavior and its impact on your work. Keep a record of the dates, times, and details of any incidents, such as emails, messages, comments, or actions. Note how they affected your work, such as missed deadlines, reduced quality, or increased errors. Also note how they affected your well-being, such as stress, anxiety, or burnout. This will help you to have a clear and objective account of the situation and to support your case if you need to escalate it.

3 Set boundaries

The third step is to set boundaries with the toxic coworker and limit your exposure to them as much as possible. Avoid unnecessary interactions, such as socializing, gossiping, or venting. Communicate professionally and respectfully, but assertively and clearly. Don't let them take advantage of you, manipulate you, or intimidate you. Say no to unreasonable requests, stand up for yourself and your work, and don't engage in their drama or negativity. Focus on your own goals and priorities, and don't let them distract you from your work.

4 Seek support

The fourth step is to seek support from your colleagues, manager, or HR if the toxic coworker's behavior persists or escalates. You don't have to deal with this situation alone. Reach out to your trusted peers or mentors for advice, feedback, or validation. They may have experienced similar issues or have some insights or solutions to offer. Talk to your manager or HR if the toxic coworker is affecting your work performance, morale, or safety. They may be able to intervene, mediate, or resolve the conflict.

5 Take care of yourself

The fifth step is to take care of yourself and your mental and physical health. Working with a toxic coworker can be draining and damaging to your well-being. You need to practice self-care and find ways to cope and recover from the stress. Some examples are: exercise, meditation, hobbies, therapy, or spending time with positive people. Don't let the toxic coworker ruin your self-esteem, confidence, or passion for your work. Remember your strengths, achievements, and value as a product manager.

6 Learn and grow

The sixth step is to learn and grow from the experience of working with a toxic coworker. You can use this as an opportunity to develop your skills, resilience, and professionalism as a product manager. You can learn how to communicate effectively, handle difficult situations, manage conflicts, and collaborate with diverse personalities. You can also learn how to identify and avoid toxic coworkers in the future, or how to deal with them more efficiently and confidently. You can turn a negative situation into a positive one by learning from it and growing from it.