You Don't Have to Like Someone to Work with Him
TechNation introduces a new interactive advice column called "Manny's Moans". In this edition, Manny gives his advice on how to work with co-workers you don't necessarily like.
Mon Mar 25 2013
A long time ago, someone told me, “You don’t have to like someone to work with him.” This was in response to my obvious dislike for a coworker. I was much younger and not quite as wise then. Ah, the good old days when I could act any way I wanted without concern for establishing relationships, hurting feelings and the need for growth. But I digress.
This advice has helped me tremendously throughout the years. The odds that you will always like everyone you must work with are stacked against you. There will probably be a bell curve worth of relationships with your coworkers and all your interactions. Some will be friends, some will be not so good friends, and the majority will be just neutral.
The difficult ones will be those who just rub you the wrong way. If they are merely rather annoying, then keep the relationship on a professional, courteous, and cordial level. This is easy. The hard ones are those who seem to intentionally aggravate you. The advice is the same with one additional suggestion: Don’t go out of your way to interact with them.
By the way, always remember that the bell curve goes both ways. You will probably be “the one” to someone else. If everyone just loves you, they are following my advice.
Email Manny with comments and to let him know what you want him to Moan about.
Got a burning question for Manny? Email mannysmoans@mdpublishing.com.
Click here to access the archive of Manny's Moans.