Having a colleague whose behaviour may be bothersome may affect your mental peace. Dealing with such people on a regular basis can make work-life difficult. Here's an article that lists a number of solutions that can help you overcome such situations.

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Clinical care teams have evolved to become complex combinations of physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, registered nurses, clinical pharmacists, and more. Each professional has specific training and skills for high-quality, coordinated care that reflects the clinical needs of patients.

Much like the mythical Hydra, modern clinical care teams have many leadership heads. Different clinicians with different specialities oversee specific aspects of care. Clinicians work together in the best interest of the patient.

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Stay positive

First and foremost, a worker who can maintain a positive attitude and outlook despite the negativity of an irritating colleague will come out the winner, according to an article published by Glassdoor. Become the proverbial duck, and let the annoyance roll off your back. You can’t control the behaviour of your coworkers but you can control your reaction. Try your best not to let the negativity bring you down and distract you from work. Stay focused on the tasks in front of you and resolve to do the best job possible for your patients and team.

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Be assertive

If someone is making your work life difficult, gather your courage and speak up, suggests an article published by Indeed.

The authors wrote,

“When sharing how they make you feel, use ‘I’ language so they better understand your perspective. Using ‘you’ language may make it difficult for them to accept responsibility for their actions.” For example, you could say: “I find that your behaviour makes it hard for me to focus,” instead of, “The way you act is irritating.”

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Seek out their perspective

Take the time to find out why a coworker you are at odds with sees things the way they do.

The article quoted:

“Sometimes getting to know your challenging co-worker's perspective can make it easier to get along with them. After getting to know them better, you may realise that their background and life experiences shape their behaviour and point of view. Although you deserve to be treated with respect, this insight may help you understand the way they see things.”

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Turn the other cheek

Although it may rarely happen, sometimes a difficult colleague will try to challenge you. Although the comments may be irritating, enraging, or hurtful, it’s best to remain calm, smile, and walk away.  By giving in and fighting back, you are playing their game. Instead, by ignoring their entreaties, the offender will likely give up.

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Practice avoidance

This technique works on colleagues with whom you don’t interact as much. Although avoidance may seem like the easy way out, it is effective. Limit your interactions with an annoying colleague when you can. And when you do interact, be respectful and convey only as much as needed in a courteous fashion. 

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Find commonalities

Sometimes an annoying colleague is just a friend or, at least, a tolerable acquaintance in disguise. Find common ground. Perhaps a mutual adoration for the local sandwich shop or devotion to a local sports team. You’d be surprised how shared interests can open doors. 

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Look at your own role

What is your own behaviour with this coworker? “You may find that you both have developed a feedback loop of behaviour,” wrote Indeed. “Be the person who breaks this loop and try treating them with kindness for a change. You may find that they return the kindness, and you both can move forward.” Along those lines, keeping your opinions about this coworker to yourself will help maintain a positive workplace. Find a family member or friend outside of work to talk to instead. 

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Report to your supervisor or HR 

If confronting the colleague in a calm yet assertive manner doesn’t work, it’s probably time to speak with your supervisor or clinic/hospital management. Another option is to approach human resources, however, depending on the situation, that may not be the appropriate response, and HR may not always take your side, according to an article in Forbes. Of course, HR will want to know about actions such as harassment, discrimination, or criminal or unethical behaviour. 

According to the Forbes article, you can ask these questions to help decide if you want to take your complaint to HR:

1. If you are simply annoyed by a comment or irritating behaviour on the part of a coworker, try talking politely but directly to your colleague. 
2.  If you are struggling to get along with a coworker or trying to find your place on the team, take your concerns to your practice manager or supervisor.
3. If the situation is so awful that you don’t want to come to work, are crying at your desk, or can’t get your job done, go to HR. 
4. If a coworker touches you inappropriately, threatens you, or exhibits any dangerous or harassing behaviours, go to HR immediately.

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Bottom line

Annoying colleagues are a price we sometimes pay for teamwork. The best way to deal with a grating colleague is to remain calm, respectful, and diplomatic. Remember, your purpose is to provide compassionate care to your patients and respect and kindness to your colleagues.

This article was originally published on 19 September 2021.

This story is contributed by Naveed Saleh and is a part of our Global Content Initiative, where we feature selected stories from our Global network which we believe would be most useful and informative to our doctor members.