Best of... dealing with difficult team mates
Best of our advice on dealing with difficult team mates & register for our free career skills webinar
Hi reader! We’re continuing our January series where we share the “Best of” our advice regarding the most common workplace challenges we saw in our community throughout 2024. In this week’s edition we’re sharing the best of our tips for handling difficult team mates. We hope to see you at our next free webinar on Tuesday 21st January. Grab your spot here.
In this edition:
Best of... dealing with difficult team mates
How to reduce microaggressions
Be open
In your next team meeting, encourage an open dialogue on microaggressions, and ask folks to volunteer seemingly subtle phrases that from their perspective cause hurt or that offend. Create a judgement-free uncomfortable space where folks can listen with compassion, acknowledge their mistakes and learn from each other.
Use your power
If you are a senior leader of your workforce, take the initiative and propose a communications or collaboration workshop. It’s critical for managers to have these tools in place so they can drive change.
Get technical
Encourage the company to share its employee satisfaction metrics. This will encourage an open conversation between senior leaders and shed some light on bad actors.
Take opportunities to adapt and grow
Think of a time someone said something derogatory about a cultural group you identify with. Did you confront them or address it? If you could go back in time, how would you turn that into an opportunity to share feedback in real time?
How to reduce friction
Broaden your horizons to build empathy and awareness
Expand your perspectives so you can increase your cultural awareness and empathy and be more mindful of the types of bias folks may face by virtue of being different from the dominant social groups. Consider things like media headlines, and comments from politicians aimed at marginalising their community, or painting them in a negative light. How can you step into their shoes to build connection?
Take a step back
How often do you step out of your lived experience and imagine what life is like for folks on your team? Folks with different lifestyles and responsibilities to you? How can you be a better team mate through this activity by building empathy and compassion for what challenges they go through, that you don't? Perhaps switching up the content you consume can help you gain new perspectives.
If you feel like you're ready to get uncomfortable and share some constructive feedback with a difficult team mate, at Hustle Crew we advise you to:
Start from a place of curiosity
Use a framework like non-violent communication
Listen with compassion
Leave your defensiveness at the door
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