Now that you're grown up, making your own money and wearing heels to work, you probably thought you'd left junior-high-style dramatics far behind. Think again. The office is one big cafeteria -- only instead of stresses such having the right jeans and getting into the cool history class, you're now faced with a whole new level of politics and a whole new breed of opponents in your quest to get to the weekend unscathed. To help you reach happy hour on Friday, we've identified a few of the more unbearable coworker types, along with a few tips on how to deal with each one.
Two-Faced Tina
Two-Faced Tina never heard the classic caution, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all."
She usually has something to say, always of the behind-your-back variety. She confides in you that Kevin thinks Melissa isn't pulling her weight and that Todd might be out of a job, according to Janice. Don't get sucked in. Two-Faced Tina is your best friend -- to your face. You can be sure that when you aren't around, she's got just as much to say about you. When she approaches your desk for a gossip session, pick up the phone, smile and gesture that you're busy. After this happens a few times, she'll likely leave you alone. She wants someone's full attention for her slanderous secrets, so be sure never to give it to her. If you happen to get stuck in a slow-moving elevator with Two-Faced Tina, don't ever join in her tirades. Say something meaningless, such as "Interesting" or "I see," and quickly change the subject -- pick a safe topic she can harp about, like the rainy weather or gas prices.
Negative Nancy
Whatever new idea you come up with, it has a downside -- one that only Negative Nancy has thought of, and one that she is only too happy to bring up, likely in front of the boss.
Negative Nancy doesn't usually have many ideas of her own, so she downplays everyone else's in order to be part of the conversation. If you've pulled off the coup of the year, she'll happily pipe in that, while successful, "It could have been better." Don't bother arguing with her -- it will only drag you down to her storm-cloud level in the eyes of the higher-ups. Instead of giving her a chance to find flaws in your work, go on the offensive during your pitch and bring up possible problems, then balance them with solutions and the benefits of going forward regardless. By talking over cons along with your pros, you leave Negative Nancy with nothing to contribute. She just might have to come up with an idea of her own.
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