No one wants to be the office outcast, but while you may think you’re being friendly and professional, you could unintentionally push your colleagues away. We take a look at 12 common behaviors that could be secretly alienating your coworkers:
Slacking
Everyone hits a slump occasionally, but consistently missing deadlines, leaving early, or taking extended breaks can build resentment. You should take ownership of your workload and contribute your fair share so that others can see you pulling your weight. If there’s a reason for poor performance, such as illness or things that are tough at home, you should be honest with your coworkers so they can help you through a difficult time.
Gossiping
Spreading rumors or being negative about colleagues creates a toxic work environment. It’s best to avoid office gossip and focus on your work. Don’t get caught up in the drama, and focus on your work to maintain respect for the people you work with daily.
Being Overconfident
Nobody enjoys feeling like they’re constantly being corrected by someone, no matter how hard they try. While helpful advice is appreciated, there’s a fine line between being informative and condescending. If you think you’re the office know-it-all, try to let others speak in your next team meeting and only speak up if someone is struggling with an answer.
Getting One-Up
Do you always have a story that trumps your coworker’s achievement? Constant one-upping makes others feel belittled and can make others feel they will never be good enough. You should celebrate your colleagues’ successes and avoid making everything a competition so that the office feels like a level playing field.
Talking Over People
Constantly interrupting colleagues during meetings or conversations is disrespectful and comes across as dismissive of their ideas. You should practice active listening and wait for your turn to speak rather than thinking that what you have to say is all that matters. If you have quieter people in your group, you should gently invite them into the conversation so they feel involved.
Micromanaging
Employees hate being micromanaged. If you feel the need to control every aspect of a project, even when delegated to others, you could be rubbing people up incorrectly. If you constantly micromanage, you risk stifling your team’s creativity and initiative. Instead, trust your colleagues and give them the autonomy they need to succeed.
Being Inflexible
There is a tendency to think that if something is going well, there’s no need for change. However, unwilling to adapt to new ideas or plan changes can frustrate others. It’s essential to embrace a team approach so everyone feels they have input and are listened to.
Being Overly Negative
We all get a little down occasionally, and a good moan is needed. However, if there’s a constant stream of negativity in the workplace, it can bring down team morale. Focus on solutions, maintain a positive attitude, and see how the atmosphere changes, even when faced with challenges.
Always Unreliable
You could frustrate your colleagues if you always miss meetings, forget commitments, or miss deadlines. While these may seem trivial, they can put extra pressure on others as the workload becomes unbalanced.
Showing Your Ego
Taking all the credit for team achievements or constantly promoting yourself can make you look arrogant. It’s important to acknowledge the contributions of others and celebrate team successes, even if you feel you have done more than them. If you feel others could have done more than encourage them to build on their skills rather than make them feel they have not pulled their weight.
Having No Boundaries
It is essential to be clear about your coworkers’ boundaries, as they may not take to you being overfamiliar. While you may want to be friends and talk about your private life, others want to do their jobs and keep their home lives separate. If you’re too intrusive, it can make others feel uncomfortable.
Sucking up to the Boss
If you always try to win brownie points with your boss, your coworkers will likely roll their eyes behind you. Colleagues can see through excessive flattery or attempts to gain favor in an insincere way. Try to be as honest as possible; if you truly deserve an award, it will come your way. The chances are that if you’re trying too hard, your boss will notice and will not necessarily see it favorably.
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