Everyone has bad days and it is often due to the people who sit around you. There are many types of personalities in an office setting, and you have to work alongside them Monday to Friday. When you share the same space for as long as you do, disagreements and conflicts are bound to happen. If you allow them to continue, they will eventually affect your career, health and private life. If you do have a bad interaction at work there are ways to deal with it professionally. Here are some tips to help:
Don’t Obsess About it Too Much
The first step is to recognize that sometimes things just won’t go your way. Realize that you have no control over other people’s actions, only your own. Life Hacker posted a quote by author Charles Swindoll that “Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.” There will be many moments that we can’t control, but we can do something about what comes after. Take a break, cool off or buy yourself a cup of coffee to clear your head. Obsessing over the conflict will only ruin the rest of your day, and make you less productive.
Admit You Were Wrong
If it was you who caused the issue, apologize and clear up the misunderstanding. It’s better to address the problem sooner, rather than later. The longer you put it off, the harder it can become to make things right again. It’s hard- after all few people are eager to admit their own wrongdoing. But only by apologizing can you mend the relationship between you and your co-worker. If you are apologizing, then follow the advice in my earlier post: ‘I’m Just Not Feeling It. Why So Many Apologies Fall Flat’.
Find Someone to Talk to
If you’ve had a bad day, a simple but effective step is to find someone to confide in. Often they will be able to give you an unbiased opinion on what happened and listen to your story objectively.
A growing trend in business is for companies to hire on-site psychologists to help improve employee wellbeing and ensure that a company’s culture remains healthy. J. Michael Crant of Notre Dame University reports that psychologists have found strong connections between business objectives and employee behavior. His studies have shown that employees who feel comfortable, safe and happy at work are more productive and efficient.By recognizing these connections, companies can try to fix the source of bad interactions that may be affecting a team’s working environment. Even if your workplace doesn’t have a professional you can talk to, speaking to a friend or co-worker can still help. Together you may be able to find a solution that benefits all parties.
Finally, Get Some Sleep
If you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, chances are good that you’re going to be irritable for the rest of the day. A study by Occupational Health Science reveals that stress at work is linked to poor sleep. Things like sarcastic comments, rude behavior, interrupting or talking over someone in a meeting are all linked to a poor sleep schedule. Even so, a lack of sleep doesn’t excuse poor attitude. Take a moment to relax and think about your actions.
Contributed to www.drjenthomas.com by Rosie Taylor