PERSONALITY CLASHES: OFFICE CONFLICTS
It's inevitable—workplace conflicts. It's bound to happen at least once in your life, and if it only happens once, consider yourself lucky.
As co director of a pre-professional ballet company, I have the honor of sharing responsibility with someone else, and after realizing how lucky I am that we get along so well, I also thought about my previous encounters of work drama with other coworkers.
Although I may stumble upon some obstacles with future coworkers, I have had my fair share of co-worker craziness (so, I'm vowing to not deal with that anymore/ insert laughing emoji because we know it will probably happen sometime in the future). And as hard as you may try to make it work, you could be water and she could be oil—you'll just never mix.
Of course, who wouldn't love butterflies and rainbows all day, everyday with co-workers who aren't stabbing your back or stepping on your toes? But we know that'll never happen, but that's beside the point, the worst thing to do is let them dull your shine—which I've let happen too many times.
So here are some things that you can do if you're dealing with personality clashes in the workplace:
PERSONAL VS. PROFESSIONAL
We've all heard this right? But sometimes a coworker is a great person to hang out with, but at work it just is a constant tug-of-war. Also, evaluate the situation. Are you having a problem over a personal conflict with the person? If it has nothing to do with business, then move on. Don't waste your time arguing over something that happened outside of work. I think this skill is hard to master because let's face it, sometimes you just wish they were never there, but don't let it affect your professional work—manage your emotions and remember your time is valuable, so use it to work efficiently and effectively.
BE KIND, BUT NOT WEAK
Sometimes people mistaken kindness for weakness—I hate that, but it's true. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, so don't let your emotions overtake your control in the workplace. Know that you're working your a** off, and that no one's negative energy is going to throw you off of your path. If someone is treating you poorly, stand up for yourself and offer solutions that will benefit both sides, but don't let them think they can walk all over you.
SHOW YOUR STRENGTHS
You know what you're capable of, so do extra in the workplace. Show that obstacles can't stop you from doing your job and doing it really freaking well! The best feeling is knowing that you can bring something different to the table and that no matter who tries to get in the way, you will rise above it. It puts things in perspective for the other person—it tells them that you aren't willing to back down and you're ready to do what you came here to do...succeed, no matter what.
Be the bigger person. Hell yeah, it's exhausting, frustrating and discouraging sometimes, but stooping down to someone else's level is more damaging to your standards—that's what those types of people want you to do, so that they can move up to your spot. Don't let it happen—be you and stand strong. You got this boss lady!
p.s. thanks to Megan for being an awesome coworker (especially since it's Nutcracker season).