When Your Overload is Coworker Dysfunction
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Each workday seems packed with a variety of activities, meetings, and phone calls that tend to stack up until that feeling of overload begins to set in. However, as I work with coaching clients and talk with others I have realized that people experience some fairly significant difficulties with their coworkers. These situations and at times particular people can be an immense drain on you and your time. In fact, they can cause mental and emotional overload which pours into our ability to get our work done.
Let me guess, a certain name is running through your mind right now. (No need to say it out loud.) Is it someone that perhaps you don’t currently have the best relationship within your workplace? Don’t worry, I’m here to help. I’ve got some suggestions on how to deal with overload and coworker dysfunction.
I call it the 4 R’s:
1. Remove Yourself From The Situation
Do you sense things are getting touchy, maybe even a little emotional? Are you feeling unsure of how to respond and concerned about how you may react? If so, then take some simple advice: leave. Seriously, remove yourself from the situation.
If you are working to figure out the next steps to take or words to speak, then give yourself some space, time, and a breather. Go outside, grab some coffee, or take a brief walk down the hall, whatever it takes to give you some distance. Work to find a place where you can be neutral and positive to think about what you might do next in efforts to improve the situation.
2. Review The Situation
Take some time to review what’s happening with the right person. What do I mean by that? In other words, talk with someone who won’t just agree with you. Get real advice from someone you trust that will provide you with beneficial feedback rather than just tell you what you want to hear. I’ve mentioned before that a loving critic has your best interest at heart and will be able to see the bigger picture that may seem a bit clouded to you at the moment.
3. Reflect On How You May Contribute To The Dysfunction
Who me, you say? Now, I don’t mean anyone reading this article could possibly have any sort of dysfunctional tendencies. (Wink!) However, let’s consider for a moment that none of us are actually perfect. So, it is quite possible (even if in small quantities) that coworker dysfunction involves more than one party.
That being said, try to be open as you consider and reflect on what you see happening with this coworker. Ask yourself if there is a way that you could communicate differently, even more effectively? Really lean in and think about how you could possibly be contributing to this unfortunate dysfunction. Then ponder and work at what you could do to improve in that particular area.
4. Respond With Intent Instead Of Reacting With Emotion
Your ultimate goal is to work well with others on your team, right? (All of us together now, nod your head.) Here’s a tip to help that effort to go more smoothly. Make it your goal to respond with intent rather than reacting with emotion. After all, you do want to have this coworker relationship improve, right? (Again, nodding your head is the best answer here.) As you plan your response to this person, work to take the emotion out of it and keep the focus of your mind geared toward improving the relationship with your coworker.
Go make it a great week! Work to try and have cohesive relationships with all of your team members and watch for the benefits and perhaps freed up time to follow.
