Introduction

Do you like to be different? Are you like a colourful fish in a boring fish tank? Well, prepare for some underwater challenges as other fishes may not like it. They are simply jealous of your shiny colours. Enough with the fish analogies and serving injustice to innocent fish and let us go to the point of “Dealing with toxic coworkers”, who are they? What are their types? How do you deal with them to keep your sanity and shine like a diamond? 

The importance of understanding Toxic co-workers 

Facts are the effects of toxic work environments on mental health are increasingly recognized every day by the scientific community to an extent that cannot be ignored. It doesn’t matter if you’re a college student working part-time, a fresh grad or a seasoned pro. No matter what your age or nationality is, you will surely meet a toxic co-worker. We all do It is a universal challenge. Knowing what you’re up against is your first step to surviving the office jungle and a battle without knowledge is like dancing in the dark. Let’s dive more into knowing how to deal with them and keep ourselves safe.

Types of Toxic Co-workers 

There are several types of Toxic coworkers. But, who’s the real star of the office toxicity drama? Yes, you guessed right, It’s the Gossip, of course, always stirring up trouble with juicy rumours. Right behind, is the Energy Vampire, draining everyone’s energy like a human vacuum cleaner. Then there’s the Passive-Aggressive person, who’s like a walking puzzle – impossible to figure out. And finally, the Saboteur, who’s secretly trying to bring down the whole office and the list goes on…

Sure, we’ve all shared an office with at least one of these characters. There are complex personalities as well. But let’s be real, if we started diving into how to handle each one, we’d be here ’til the cows come home”. But at least let’s talk about common practices for dealing with any of those types generally.

Ways to Protecting Your Mental Health from Toxic Coworkers

Let’s face it, managing poisonous colleagues is like attempting to tame a wild creature. But don’t worry, you don’t need a superhero cape to protect your peace of mind. Start by setting boundaries. Keep those office troubles outside your personal life. Next, find your squad – people who genuinely care about you and this is the most important point. Those people are your secret weapon against negativity. They are your chargers to continue. if things are going out of control, address your supervisor about it but without being aggressive. Last but not least, Love yourself and pamper it. There are many ways to do it . Start your day with meditation or deep breathing exercises. Do not forget your positive affirmations. Talk to yourself in a positive way all the time as the mind believes what you tell it after a while. Set boundaries and limit interaction with those negative people. Last but not least, find your supporters through colleagues or mentors. This will help you balance this energy and keep you focused. And remember, you are shining bright like a diamond. If people are investing their time and energy in criticizing or mocking you, it’s a clear sign that you’re doing something right; you’ve struck a nerve and highlighted their insecurities.

Conclusion

Being different can undoubtedly feel like swimming against the current. While your exceptional characteristics are your most prominent resource, exploring a work environment loaded up with people who may not see the value in your sparkle can be testing. By grasping the various kinds of poisonous associates and carrying out successful procedures to deal with their way of behaving, you can safeguard your inner serenity and keep on flourishing as well as be a role model to others like the star you already are.  

Lecturer – Researcher –certified trainer