The Secret To Dealing With Corporate Jerks (That No One Talks About)

Ever met a disingenuous professional?

You know the type, talking and writing about themselves and everything they’re up to.

They don’t realize all their output is ‘feel good about me’ drivel.

They show you their ‘happy family.’

When the truth is, their marriage is on the rocks. If they still have one...

And their relationships with colleagues aren’t any better.

Colleagues have a few compliments to share.

Here’s why…

They’re up there among the biggest a$$holes walking the planet.

Second only to the biggest a$$hole swimming the planet…

Did you know a Whale a$$hole opens up to three feet!?

These disingenuous folks are more prominent than that.

Here’s how to spot an a$$hole:

→ Cancel meetings at the last minute

→ Never apologize for anything

→ Ambush you with their urgent business

→ Talk about others behind the scenes

→ React explosively without knowing the facts

→ Put others down so they can ‘feel’ up (includes the ‘blame game’)

→ Texting or emailing when you’re talking to them

→ Say one thing, then do the complete opposite

→ *Optional: Have a personalized license plate on their car (just a pet peeve of mine)

OK, you’ve identified your individual based on this description.?

Most advice about what to do about a$$holes sucks… you know the blah:

? Set boundaries (yawn!)

? Look for another job (eye roll!)

? Key their car (ill-advised!!!)

Is this helpful advice? Possibly.

Is it transformational? Not really.

Over the decades, I picked up coaching and mentoring to help you think about this another way…

Try these out...

Cancel First

If your a$$hole is the type to cancel meetings at the last minute, start pre-canceling first.

Use a casual, “Hey, I know your schedule is tight; let’s reschedule for a time that works better.”

Stop waiting for them to approve you. Watch how fast they start attending meetings!

Adopt Radical Ownership

Force them to take responsibility for their snafu. Ask them directly, “What would you have done differently?”

They will hate this, but you will force them to own their behavior.

Bore Their Pants Off

When talking about others, you must assume that if they’re doing it to you, they’re doing it about you, too.?

When they start venting about your colleagues, simply say, “I think we have a good team here.”?

This is called ‘strategic misinformation.’ It won’t be long before your a$$hole says the same thing publicly.

Make Them Dependent Upon You

They put others down so they can feel big?

Put them to work with powerful redirects:

? “I need your input before I finalize this.”

? “You have a great instinct for this; what do you think?”

A$$hole folks are easy to hook. When you ask these questions, you gain complete control over what happens next.

The Phone & Screen Thing

If they look at their phone or screen when you are with them, don’t stop talking until you say, “I’ll wait.”

Let the awkwardness build.

No a$$hold can argue with you, but you must make sure you have their full attention.

Walking Contradictions

A$$holes are walking contradictions. When they say one thing and do the opposite, call it out indirectly. Here are some psychological gifts for you:

? “I love how you keep things exciting; always a new approach every time we talk.”

? “It’s great working with someone so flexible in their decision-making.”

They’ll either correct themselves or realize they’re being ridiculous.

Bonus: The License Plate Test

If they have a personalized license plate (optional but a huge red flag for a$$holes), you already know their ego is running the show. Use it.

Flatter them strategically. “That plate is so YOU. Sums you up.” Let them fill in the blanks.

Final Truths

An a$$hole in your personal or professional life is often a gift in disguise.

I had the pleasure of working with a handful of these wonderful people.

They teach you how power, insecurity, and influence work.

Instead of fighting them, study them.

What’s the one thing from this article you’ll try this week?