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March 1, 2010

Protect Yourself from Toxic Colleagues

By Blaine Loomer

The Wakeboarders

Watch out—coming through! Wakeboarders are similar to Taskmasters in that they like to pass their work on to others. Unlike Taskmasters, Wakeboarders hide their BS behind an outgoing personality. Coworkers like them, so they are more willing to help, and the Wakeboarder knows this. She spends a good deal of her time socializing, not to network, but to find gullible coworkers to whom she can pass her work.

How to protect yourself? Steer clear of Wakeboarders. Although Wakeboarders are typically good employees and may produce high-quality finished products, they leave a wake a mile wide as coworkers bust their humps to help them complete their projects. They spread discontent in their wakes.

The Office Flirts

I think we all know what this is about by now. But look out for Office Flirts who do their flirting 21st-century-style. You may become involved in an email back-and-forth or IM conversation that turns flirtatious before you even know it. Or you could receive some questionable correspondence after becoming the Office Flirt’s friend on Facebook or another social networking site. Bottom line: keep all of your office conversations professional—whether they take place by the water cooler or online.

How to protect yourself? Just don’t get involved. End of story. Nothing good can come from it. Don’t even think about it!

—Blaine Loomer has consulted with many companies over the years, from enterprising individuals to some of the largest corporations in America. His book is Corporate Bullsh*t: A Survival Guide (Mitchell Publishers Inc., 2009).