when working with someone you don't like, err toward kindness
onalities they wouldn’t otherwise choose to have in their life.
[Management Tip of the Day]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h954582cf,11b272ff,11b27301&p1=?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge>
Today’s Tip
When Working with Someone You Don't Like, Err Toward Kindness
Not everyone at work is going to be your friend, and some relationships are easier than others. So, what do you do when you’re stuck working with someone you dislike? First, accept that you might need to be the grown-up. Don’t succumb to unproductive behaviors, like getting overly defensive, ignoring the person out of spite, excluding them from a meeting, or sending a passive aggressive email. Instead, identify behaviors that will serve you, and them. You might remove yourself (politely) from unproductive conversations, confront them respectfully and privately to discuss the problem before it festers, or set clear boundaries around your time and expectations. At the same time, try to focus on what they bring to the table — not on the things that upset you about them. You might even consider whether you can give them something — introductions to others in the organization, help building a skill, or meaningful feedback on their work — that will alter the dynamic between you. You may not feel like doing these things, especially if the person rubs you the wrong way, but the investment may be worth it. The most successful people find healthy ways to work with personalities they wouldn’t otherwise choose to have in their life.
This tip is adapted from “How to Work with Someone You Really Don’t Like<https://hbr.org/2021/11/how-to-work-with-someone-you-really-dont-like?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge,”> by Lisa Stephenson
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[Management Tip of the Day]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h954582cf,11b272ff,11b27301&p1=?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge>
Today’s Tip
When Working with Someone You Don't Like, Err Toward Kindness
Not everyone at work is going to be your friend, and some relationships are easier than others. So, what do you do when you’re stuck working with someone you dislike? First, accept that you might need to be the grown-up. Don’t succumb to unproductive behaviors, like getting overly defensive, ignoring the person out of spite, excluding them from a meeting, or sending a passive aggressive email. Instead, identify behaviors that will serve you, and them. You might remove yourself (politely) from unproductive conversations, confront them respectfully and privately to discuss the problem before it festers, or set clear boundaries around your time and expectations. At the same time, try to focus on what they bring to the table — not on the things that upset you about them. You might even consider whether you can give them something — introductions to others in the organization, help building a skill, or meaningful feedback on their work — that will alter the dynamic between you. You may not feel like doing these things, especially if the person rubs you the wrong way, but the investment may be worth it. The most successful people find healthy ways to work with personalities they wouldn’t otherwise choose to have in their life.
This tip is adapted from “How to Work with Someone You Really Don’t Like<https://hbr.org/2021/11/how-to-work-with-someone-you-really-dont-like?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge,”> by Lisa Stephenson
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