Falling prey to an unscrupulous saboteur in the workplace can sting, especially if the offender wants your job, credit for your ideas or to make you look incompetent.
The good news? “You’re never too young or too old to learn ways to deal with (saboteurs),” said Rebecca Weingarten, a New York-based executive, corporate and career coach. Below the experts advise how to effectively deal with workplace sabotage:
Know what you’re dealing with: “Workplace saboteurs come in a lot of shapes and sizes,” said Mary Hladio, president of Ember Carriers Inc., an organizational effectiveness firm. “What spurs these behaviors can be small or it has been their modus operandi for their entire career.” Saboteurs include gossipers and rumor mongers, finger pointers, slackers, people pleasers, avoiders, belittlers and downright bullies. With unemployment on the rise, a new kind of saboteur has emerged: one who, out of fear of losing a job, has taken on the attitude of “better you than me, so let me help that along,” warned Weingarten.
Don’t be naïve: Be cautious about to whom you complain, confide and tell your ambitions. The person you’re talking to might become intimidated, jealous or fearful for his/her position.
Check yourself: Once confronted with a possible sabotage, first look in the mirror and carefully consider the unpleasant possibility that you’re the problem, suggested Hladio. “If you’re unsure, consult with a trusted colleague. If you are not the problem proceed.”
[one_half] [one_half last =”yes”]Defining the Various Saboteurs
According to Mary Hladio, president of Ember Carriers Inc., one way to combat saboteurs involves understanding them. What motivates them? What personality type are they? You can generically categorize them in three ways:
· Situational: a specific situation or circumstance makes this person difficult. Stress becomes a huge factor with someone situationally difficult. Find out what is going on in his or her world (professionally and personally) that could impact behavior.
· Deliberate: some people believe that being unreasonable or mean results in effectiveness. Because no one has ever successfully cut off their behavior and results are achieved, they feel vindicated.
· Difficult: they have always been this way. Their ingrained behavior is a part of their personality. Only a life-changing event or therapy can correct this trait.
[/one_half]Don’t get angry: Dealing with difficult people presents emotional challenges, so first take a deep breath and try to neutralize your emotions. Pause before responding and do not stoop to their level. The more you can get your emotions in check, the more control you possess.
Confront the saboteur: Conduct a brief, but pointed discussion with the saboteur. Ask why he or she chose to behave as such. “You’ll get the best results by being straightforward, direct and persistent,” instructed Hladio.
Go up another level or two (or three): If your manager seems unconcerned regarding a workplace saboteur, go to his or her boss. Be careful not to complain how the sabotage affects you; rather address how it affects job production.
Leave a paper trail: A paper trail of your work makes it harder for someone to claim a work idea/concept/project as his or her own. Sally Haver, senior vice president of the Ayers Group, said, “It is of paramount importance to archive relevant e-mails, back up your databases, etc. so, in the case of controversy, you’re covered.”
Find a new job: If all attempts to deal with workplace sabotage fail, sometimes leaving becomes your only option, said Patricia Donovan, a grievance chair at University at Buffalo. “If you do, do not do so without telling whomever in charge why you are leaving. Be calm, reasonable, honest and direct. … Be as professional, informed and intelligent as they say you aren’t,” she advised. “Then smile and vayamos. You’ve got better things to do with your life than shorten it by working with (saboteurs).”
By Larue Novick
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