Don’t you hate it when a person you have to be around acts like a jerk? They affect your productivity in a negative way, and your frustration with them is apparent.

Thankfully, Stanford University came up with a comprehensive guide on how you can survive at work, even with not so pleasant people. Here are some of the key takeaways that can help you.

1. Don’t fight fire with fire. Always try to have a conversation and remind him or her to treat people with respect.

2. If the ‘jerk’ is a senior or worse, your boss, you should look for a lateral transfer to explore your options.  Remember, don’t be impulsive about this, and do it with the right protocols and respect.

3. Find ways to lessen interaction with the toxic person in your office. Do more emails instead of calls or face to face meetings. Make certain to maintain your mental health.

Let me know if you need more guidance for dealing with toxic colleagues. I’m always rooting for you and your growth!

Dr. Rob

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