4 Subtle Behaviors That Make You Uncomfortable In The Workplace

And how to react

Many times I have seen a lot of colleagues get promoted because they deserved it. It is something that makes me feel good. It shows that hard work and dedication give results and are often rewarded.

Yet I have seen other colleagues use different weapons to advance their career, and I must admit some of them are commonly practiced. It doesn’t have to be an unfair use of your power, it is often a series of little tricks that make other people uncomfortable.

Let’s look at a few of these.

1. Taking full credit for work that has been completed by other people. Surprised colleagues, who did the work, are forced to ask for an explanation. Controlling their emotions, they have to speak up and ask for their recognition.

Yet quite often what everybody remembers is the first message: they will continue to believe they know who deserves recognition. Everybody will refer mentally to that person when thinking about the project. It is a subtle trick.

2. Interfering with other people’s job, taking little steps without informing the colleagues in charge of the project. Once they realize that something has been done, they will need to ask for details. Even worse, they might have to correct the mistakes. They will lose control of the project.

This behavior shows that you are not too busy, and maybe you want to take a part of their work. It is intimidating, not clear, and makes people uncomfortable.

3. Shouting. There is an old saying that goes: the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Colleagues who raise their voice at meetings and take all the time available from the others, are self-centered and get the most out of it. They throw off the equilibrium of the meeting. They know it works. They succeed.

4. Seduction. You don’t need to actually have sex (at least, I think so), you just need to pretend you are interested in your colleague or boss on a different level. Wearing something sexy or showing more skin when you know you will meet him.

You are not doing anything wrong, you are just sending a subtle message that makes the working relationship less clear. Your evaluation might be influenced by your sexual power.

It took me some time to recognize and learn how to react to these behaviors. I think they are not easy to change, but you always need to clarify them. it is important to avoid reacting with silence, even if you are hurt or angry, because it is a way of accepting them. When you tell your colleague that what he does makes you feel uncomfortable, you show that you understand what is going on, and that his behavior is not so subtle, after all.

Most of all, you have learned a lot about the person you are working with, and it really helps you in your career advancement!

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