5 Tips for Avoiding Drama at Work
Humans, for better or worse, are social creatures. But a love of being social isn’t always a benefit. For instance, the office isn’t always a productive environment.
Sometimes it’s downright hostile, even, with people pitted against one another. And studies suggest that most of the time, people tend to blame others for drama at work.
But work doesn’t need to be filled with drama and turmoil. Here are 5 easy steps on avoiding drama at work.
1. There’s No Need To Tolerate Drama At Work
Encouraging a professional environment is a great way to let troublesome employees know drama won’t be tolerated.
Imagine the team is out at SeminarFest 2018, working on building a stronger, safer team. After a full day of learning and team-building, everyone gathers for drinks.
A drink or two later, one employee says, “Can you believe Sharon got that promotion? She doesn’t deserve it.”
Most people will probably just shrug the comment off and try and ignore it. But that doesn’t address the underlying problem and facilitates drama.
All it takes is one employee to stand up and let the employee know that that kind of behavior isn’t acceptable.
A simple, “Hey, what happened back there wasn’t cool. That kind of talk undermines the whole team” is more than sufficient.
2. Be Careful When Venting
Of course, that isn’t to say that venting isn’t always bad. In fact, scientists regard venting as a healthy coping mechanism. However, there’s a very clear time and place. Save it for after work, outside of the office, away from fellow employees.
By all means, blow off some steam and talked to a loved one. Just recognize that it isn’t always appropriate.
3. Avoid Passive Aggressive Behavior
One of the best ways to avoid drama at work is by assessing one’s own behavior. One may think their dislike for a coworker is hidden, but it likely comes out in passive-aggressive behavior.
After all, there’s more to language than just verbal cues. Body language plays a tremendous role in how people perceive one another.
Keep body language open and warm whenever possible. That little eye roll may not have been as secretive as believed. You never know who’s paying attention to the little details.
4. Follow The Golden Rule
As children, most people are taught the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
And while years have passed, there’s still plenty to gleam within that message.
When work just becomes too much and you feel frustrated, take a breath. Before saying something regretful, ask, “Does this really need to be said?”
These few seconds may not seem like a lot, but they can save a person’s entire career. Always think before speaking.
5. Acknowledge Wrongdoing
To err is human, as they say. It’s not always easy to admit when someone has done something wrong, but a bit of self-reflection can do wonders.
Never underestimate the power of an apology. An employee demonstrating that he or she acknowledges that they messed up can boost the entire team’s morale and eliminate drama.
Final Thoughts On Drama At Work
Drama isn’t always avoidable, it’s possible to minimize exposure to it. People tend to put confidence on a pedestal, but sometimes it’s best not to engage or to simply apologize.
At the end of the day, employees are a team. They’re only as strong as their weakest link, so keep drama away and remain professional.
Be sure to keep checking out the blog for more great tips on how to keep your workplace at its strongest. Have any questions or comments? Get in touch for more great info.