Which One Are You (and how to change it if you want to)
Knowing where you stand in the office pecking order will help make your workday more pleasant — or at least get you less side-eye.
If you work — that is, have paid employment — from about age 18 to about age 65, you’re going to spend between 30 to 35% of your lifetime working. That’s a big chunk of your life spent, for many, doing something you’re not crazy about with people you’re not super excited to spend time with. If you’re lucky enough to be surrounded by a group of people that are awesome, good for you — except you might want to take a look around because they might not think you’re so awesome.
Oftentimes, the people at work that everyone loves to hate don’t even know they’re That Person. (Well okay, if they’re a narcissist, they probably do.) But we all have to deal with That Person at work: the one who’s always gossiping and chatting about the weekend or the one who’s always condescending.
But you, you’re confident that you’re not That Person…right? How do you really know if you’re That Person who your co-workers are loving or loathing?
THE WORKPLACE SOCIAL STAR
If you’re a social butterfly, you actually do know it and this isn’t the first time you’ve been called that, either. Another endearing nickname you’ve heard before is Chatty Cathy, and for good reason. Everyone in the office can always hear your voice, chatting away about what you have for lunch or your dog or the project you’re supposed to be working on. Sure, you’re friendly and personable — that’s why you’re on the Social Committee, after all. But you’re also constantly handing in projects late and missing deadlines because you’re too busy chatting up the new hire in Accounting to make sure they feel welcome.
Being an extrovert and enjoying the company of others is great — except when you’re distracting them from getting their work done and keeping yourself from doing yours. If you find yourself gabbing at the water cooler more than working at your desk, it might be time to rein in those chats and get back to it.
PERSONA NON-GRATA
It can be a bit more difficult to tell if you’re the social outcast — or jerk — at work. If you’re the office pariah, you’re likely a bit self-absorbed, which helps you to stay focused and get your work done no matter what the cost (even if it’s stepping over someone else). You’re more likely to play the victim or shift the blame if things go south, which is rare considering you don’t talk to people long enough to form relationships, let alone engage in any office drama or politics. But this also means no one says hi to you in the morning and you usually eat lunch by yourself.
Let’s be real — it is not required of you to be a social butterfly at work. In fact, you don’t even have to be social, period. You’re at work to work and it’s okay to follow that rule. Work life, however, is a lot easier when you’re comfortable there, and getting to know your co-workers — or at least saying good morning, sincerely — will help that comfort level. Plus, it’ll help them hate you less.
If you’re Chatty Cathy or your work’s resident Shrek (pre- Fiona), there are things you can do to change that label. Stay out of gossip and office drama; get your work done on time but not at the expense of others; and know your strengths and weaknesses, and cop to them. Work can be a lot more pleasant when we remember to lift each other up —especially since we’re there for a third of our lifetime.
Written By Jess Campbell