Money Talking

Co-Workers Drive You Crazy? It Might Be You


Listen Later

Managing your least favorite person in the office can feel like torture. 

Consequently, you push that person out of meetings, turn down their ideas, and exclude them from brainstorming sessions all for the better of the company (and maybe your sanity), right? Wrong.

"It's not possible or even preferable that you'll like everyone on your team," says Amy Gallo, editor at the Harvard Business Review and author of the article How to Manage Someone You Don't Like

Gallo explains to Money Talking host Charlie Herman that it is better for your team and your company to work with an array of people because "you don't want a team comprised entirely of people you'd invite to a party," Gallo said. "You need people who have a diversity of work style, thought, and approach. People who provoke and challenge you."

Gallo adds that there are some workarounds for managing an annoying employee, which all stem with you.

By altering the things within your control (like your perceptions and reactions), eventually you'll feel less inclined to want to rip your hair out (what's left of it) when that maddening worker is around. 

    See the upside. Hiring someone who looks, acts, and thinks like you is incredibly dangerous in the office. Irksome employees can make you think twice about a decision you've made or a product you've created, essentially making you work harder or be more innovative. 
    Be the bigger person. As the boss, you need to be professional. Leave your personal feelings at home and focus on the big picture: having the best team or creating the most successful products.
    Discover their good qualities. No one is 100% annoying. Look for where that person excels. They may have unexplored talents that could prove useful.  
    Try aversion therapy. Sit near that employee, bring them into meetings, or go out to coffee with them to discuss ideas and strategies. Even though this sounds unpleasant, it is the best way to get beyond your distaste. 

    [Listen to host Charlie Herman and Amy Gallo examine best practices when you are managing workers you dislike.]

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Money TalkingBy WNYC

    • 3.9
    • 3.9
    • 3.9
    • 3.9
    • 3.9

    3.9

    86 ratings


    More shows like Money Talking

    View all
    Radiolab by WNYC Studios

    Radiolab

    43,826 Listeners

    Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

    Freakonomics Radio

    31,967 Listeners

    The New Yorker Radio Hour by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

    The New Yorker Radio Hour

    6,774 Listeners

    Planet Money by NPR

    Planet Money

    30,674 Listeners

    On the Media by WNYC Studios

    On the Media

    9,189 Listeners

    The Brian Lehrer Show by WNYC

    The Brian Lehrer Show

    1,575 Listeners

    Death, Sex & Money by Slate Podcasts

    Death, Sex & Money

    7,688 Listeners

    More Perfect by WNYC Studios

    More Perfect

    14,468 Listeners

    Science Friday by Science Friday and WNYC Studios

    Science Friday

    6,406 Listeners

    The Daily by The New York Times

    The Daily

    112,027 Listeners

    Up First from NPR by NPR

    Up First from NPR

    56,477 Listeners

    Spooked by KQED and Snap Studios

    Spooked

    16,620 Listeners

    Dolly Parton's America by WNYC Studios & OSM Audio

    Dolly Parton's America

    16,409 Listeners

    Radiolab for Kids by WNYC

    Radiolab for Kids

    1,133 Listeners