Dealing With Untrustworthy People in Work Environments
Rafael Maga?a
Senior Director Of Development - Corporate Partnerships, Major Gifts, & Planned Giving
Unless you live in the perfect office environment, there are always going to be work colleagues that are only interested in themselves. While it is far from ideal, dealing with all sorts of personalities comes with the territory, so it's essential to know how to interact. The last thing you want is to fall into their trap and hurt your credentials along with your credibility in the process.
What to Look Out For?
It can sometimes be hard to decipher who in the office is out to undermine you. There are a few red flags that you should look out for in anyone's behavior that may be a sign you should be cautious. Some are obvious. For example, if a person tries to take credit for work they didn't do, or are quick to put other people down and point out mistakes, then you should be wary.
Other actions are often less visible, and maybe something that you begin to notice over time. Is there an employee that never seems to take responsibility? Or perhaps they spend their days in the office gossiping about other workers? Any unusual or suspicious behavior could be a sign that they are only looking after themselves and can't be trusted.
How to Treat Someone You Suspect of Being Dishonest
If you suspect that someone is trying to undermine you, then the first thing to do is take a step back and look at the evidence. It is easy to get caught up in the emotion of a situation and start accusing people of things they may or may not have done. Give yourself time to look at what has happened and be sure in your mind that the person is behaving unreasonably.
Once you convince yourself that there is a problem, it is pertinent to decide on your next course of action. Should you go straight to your boss, or confront the person directly? The answer often depends on the situation and how it is affecting productivity.
Generally, it pays to speak to the person directly. Your boss is expecting their employees to act as mature adults and iron out any problems between them. However, if there is an instance where you shouldered the blame for something that has affected the whole company, there is a valid reason to go straight upstairs.
Whichever route you go, you will need to act maturely and calmly, and ensure you have evidence to back up your claims. If it ends up your word against another, there is no way the situation will get resolved. Get everything in place before you confront the person, and you stand the best chance of resolving any issues.
Take Precautions Moving Forward
It is wise to learn from any situation and take precautions so that you don't fall into the same trap again. Fortunately, there are a few habits that will not only stop people from taking advantage of you, but also improve your productivity.
Using emails to clarify your position is a great way to keep a trail of evidence where needed. Try to send a message after each conversation outlining what you discussed and what your respective roles are. This way, when things come to a head, you have legitimate explanations for everything that has happened.
It can also help to keep your boss in the loop when you make progress in any project. Not only is it helpful for them to keep up to date with everything, but there is also a clear record of activity if anybody tries to steal your work.
Finally, remember nothing is off the record in your conversations. If your colleague tends to gossip, then you can be sure that anything you share is going to spread around. Be careful when you speak, and don't say anything which you expect to be kept private.
It pays to be wary of those in the office that only want to improve themselves. An office environment is intended to be collaborative, with everyone pulling in the same direction. However, inevitably, there will always be those who are only in it for themselves. Working professionally and not getting caught up in their games takes you a long way to success in any company.
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Copyright March 1, 2020 by Rafael Maga?a. Contact for usage license.
Rafael Maga?a helps organizations grow. Helps leaders accelerate strategy implementation in their organizations. Specializes in donor-centered Philanthropy. Major Gift Officer -Veritus Scholar. Director of Development & Communications at BREATHE California of Los Angeles County. Director of Development & Communications at the Emphysema Foundation of America. Enjoys writing about leadership and management in organizations. Founder of Latino Professionals and Latina Professionals. Resides in California.
Follow Rafael on LinkedIn and on Twitter: @RafaelMagana
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own.
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Attorney | Lifelong Learner | Founding Board Member, Latina Professionals
5 年So important to take a step back and think about your next steps when it comes to how you address the issue. Thank you for sharing, Rafael!