No matter what profession you are in- flipping burgers, a call center job or corporate world, there is that one or maybe a group of messy coworkers that you have had to encounter. They are usually the devil in sheep’s clothing because of their initial welcoming demeanor. They will invite you to lunch and ask a ton of questions about your life. At first, it seems genuine because being the new kid and building collegial relationships at the office is challenging, but don’t be fooled- that same coworker has an ulterior motive. This person or group has been working for the same company for more than a decade or two, in the same position with little to no career advancement. They have nothing else better to do than find their next victim to gossip and become messy with because they are obviously bored and not challenged enough in careers to not focus on being messy. They will brag and say things like, “I’ve seen so many people come and go, so I know all of the office drama.” They will gossip about anybody, even their closest work friends, so no one is safe. They often times never get fired or leave the company because the employer likes their loyalty because the employer can pay them the minimum to keep the lights on. As you look at them and shake your head, here are ways to encounter messiness on a regular basis:
- Speak and keep it moving. This one seems easy enough, but if you work in close proximity to Messy Maggy, then try to only talk to them about work activities.
- Avoid answering or responding to anything that makes you uncomfortable. This person will test you and bring up something/someone that you know good and damn well you should not be talking about with them so just ignore the question.
- Deflect Deflect Deflect! If you hear this person gossiping about someone, then bring up a positive attribute about that same person.
- Keep your private life to yo’self! Messy Matt does not need to know that you went and threw some drinks back this weekend with your old college roommates. That is none of his damn business. If they ask about your weekend, just say, “it was great” and keep it moving.
- Stay positive! At some point, if the person is messy enough, you will find out that they have said something about you. That’s ok! That means that you are a hot topic and while they will be working at that same job for the next five years doing the same thing, you will either A. be on to the next endeavor, or B. getting a promotion leaving them BIG MAD in the crowd of messiness.