Why is my coworker mean

Skip Navigation. Jennifer Liu. Tell yourself, "I can't take it personally," Sutton writes. VIDEO How to deal with difficult coworkers without losing your mind. Make It. You can tell yourself things like, "I am not crazy or a bad person," he writes.

One of Sutton's favorite mental strategies is to practice emotional detachment. How conscious are they of their behavior and its impact? Be mindful of keeping your words and nonverbal communication neutral, and try to listen as much as you talk. Any information you gather can help you two move forward. In the survey conducted by Porath and Pearson, they found that less than half of respondents reported incivility to anyone, often out of fear or a sense of hopelessness.

If rudeness is the rule in your workplace and not the exception, leaving may be your best option. Talk them over with someone you trust. When you do, you can make it your lifelong mission to foster a culture of true civility wherever you work. Abhimanyu Das is the content specialist at TEDx. Business Do you work with a jerk? TED Talk of the Day. Al Gore How to make radical climate action the new normal. Nov 11, , pm EST.

Nov 11, , am EST. Edit Story. Jan 26, , pm EST. Why U. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website. Heidi Lynne Kurter.

Fails to refill or restock shared resources like a coffeemaker or supply shelf or stapler. Uses crude language, offensive gestures or disdainful nonverbal reactions. Spreads gossip or tries to encourage bad feelings among other coworkers. Stands over a coworker who is busy on the phone or at the computer. Takes credit for others' work or ideas in conversations, emails or meetings.

Leaves the copier jammed or other equipment malfunctioning. Interrupts others who are speaking in casual conversation or meetings. Offers unsolicited negative feedback on business decisions, company policies and procedures or others' work output. How to deal with a rude coworker. Discuss with the team member in private and make your feelings known. Consider the cause of the behavior.

Check with trusted colleagues and see if they notice the same thing. Detach from the situation and objectively observe. Limit your interactions as much as possible. Call on your sense of humor to dispel any bad feelings. Document repeated rude behavior. Talk to your manager or supervisor for advice. Remember, it's only temporary.