Currently, the term toxic people is used very frequently in everyday language. Actually, a very important step in not labeling people is to differentiate between external facts and personal essence. That is, if, for example, you want to resolve a work conflict with a colleague, focus the conversation in the external objective data and do not take to the personal plane the evaluations from the happened.
As systemic coaching so applied to the business world shows, a system is an entity in motion in which constant changes take place. For example, when a new person joins the company, new relationships emerge on the team.
In this Psychology-Online article, we offer you guidance about how to deal with toxic people at work.
Likewise, when a professional leaves, this change also produces a modification in the structure of the team itself. Therefore, begin to observe your actions not as events that begin and end in you, but as elements that have an impact on the entire environment of the system. Imagine that you turn this situation into a compelling reason for a conflict that will ultimately affect the entire team. For this reason, change your perspective and do not analyze your role in the company, solely, from your individual position. It uses the comprehensive magnifying glass that analyzes the team in its holistic perspective.
How do you deal with toxic colleagues at work?
First of all, not giving that person so much importance. Generally, it happens that when a professional experiences a situation of this type, he develops a vision in the form of a tunnel in relation to his work life.
That is, you focus excessively on that person and do not see beyond that point. From now on, if you are going through a situation of this type, contemplate your professional life in its holistic perspective: enjoy the company of those colleagues with whom you have a bond constructive, focus on your daily goals, try to be your best version in the office. That is to say, it relativizes the weight that person has in your life. How can you do it? Through your sense of humor, you can seek out the comic side of this situation by developing your inner irony.
In addition, it is very important that do not personalize this situation, since it is very possible that that person repeats the behavior patterns that he has with you in other social ties. Do not try to change him, this is not your role. Do not assume a responsibility that does not correspond to you. Don't put the burden of wanting to like him on yourself either. Simply think that this person has an inner conflict that at some point they will have to resolve.
Focus on your daily work goal and limit your dealings with that person to what is strictly necessary for professional reasons. Do not let that person contaminate your professional illusions with the infinite complaints, reproaches and negative ideas of him. Don't let someone else steal your own light. In this case, it is wise to keep a distance.
If you are going through this situation and you do not know how to neutralize a toxic person, do the following exercise. Imagine that you observe this experience externally because a friend whom you appreciate is going through an experience of this type. What advice would you give that friend? You can write down your reflections. And then apply these tips to your own story. Through this coaching dynamic, you can contextualize an experience with greater objectivity by looking at it from a different perspective.
Sometimes toxic people at work produce unpleasant feelings like anger. However, you can change your perspective to look at that person from the eyes of compassion by imagining how much they suffer from those behaviors. For example, people with these attitudes suffer greatly because they are often the victims of envy and, for this reason, they rival others instead of practicing companionship.
You don't have the power to change those difficult co-workers, but you can inspire them with your ethical attitude. Remember that the example is what educates the most. For this reason, try to be an example by internalizing and practicing those positive qualities that you would like to observe in that person who makes your life somewhat complicated at the office.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
