Shake it off

A couple of issues back, we talked about annoying traits in co-workers these days, and it would be unfair not discuss how to deal with such people. Take a read to know the 4 S of tackling your brain-boiling colleagues.

1. Smile

Some people bug intentionally, some people bug unintentionally. Some do it once a week; some do it every breathing minute. But most people bug everyone around them just for the fun of it. Most. So to deal with “most” annoying coworkers, you need to annoy them back by NOT getting annoyed in the first place. Breaking it down, the simplest yet most difficult way to deal with an irritating coworker is to keep calm, smile or even better, to laugh it off. Say no with a smile, correct him with a smile, admit your mistake with a smile – just take it all with a forced smile on your face. It will work wonders.

2. Shrug
 “The wisest way to deal with an annoying coworker is to ignore him. You're going to go home at the end of the day anyway, so might as well go in a good mood by not getting tangled in a war,” suggests a retired Army officer, and I couldn't agree any more. While smiling at someone who is making you lose your mind requires a lot of patience, ignoring him should be an easier option. When your co-worker asks you out for coffee for the fifth time, or shows off about the dinner last night at Westin, simply pretend like you didn't hear a word he said. They ought to stop at one point or the other.

3. Scowl
There will obviously come a point where no smile and no shrug are going to keep the frustrating workmate from getting on your nerves. That is when, my friend, you take upon yourself the courageous act of confronting. “Be professional and be straight forward. Tell the person that they are getting on your nerves and you are not taking this lightly. It is best if he/she knows his/her limits,” Saida M Ali, Associate at Morgan Stanley, puts it perfectly. It's clever to scare them away with a death stare and a couple of bold words when necessary.

4. Smirk

When all else fails, you've to choose the hard way out. Escalate the matter by taking it to your manager/supervisor. It certainly won't be as uncomplicated as the above three because it requires a formal talk with your senior addressing the intolerable incidents and relating it to how it your work. Tell him about how your coworker distracts you, talks inappropriately, crosses his/her limit and eventually, hampers your productivity at work. Although it won't be as easy as the other options, it definitely will be worth it.