What to Do When You Love Your Job, but Not the People

Your workweek probably breaks down a lot like this: Most of your time spent at work, with some small blocks of the day reserved for grooming, meals, getting to and from the office, and maybe a couple of sleepy hours in the evening for Netflix, Facebook and family. The weekends free up a little more personal time, but in general, you spend a good chunk of your waking hours with your co-workers. If you don’t like them, it can be a real bummer.

In a dreary, dead-end position, the fact you don’t like your co-workers just puts another log on an already raging fire. You’re probably on your way out anyway.

However, in a position where you’re otherwise satisfied, a bad relationship with those around you can make everything feel worse.

Yet a rocky relationship with your office mates doesn’t mean you have to abandon a position you love. Here are four things to keep in mind when dealing with a touchy personal situation at work:

Is It Me?

If you don’t like anyone at your company, there’s a clear existential question you need to ask: Is it them, or is it me?

Before disrupting your work life to fix a cultural problem you’ve preemptively blamed on everyone else, do a personal inventory. Check if you bring some negative energy to the situation.

Learn to Get Along

Not every personality mismatch has a culprit. That is to say, the situation might not be anyone’s fault

Look to bridge the gap. If you get to know your coworkers better, you can minimize any personality issues. Familiarity and understanding can sand down a lot of sharp edges.

Organize some get-togethers outside of work. A little time at happy hour might solve the problem completely.

Overcome Your Co-Workers

Some gaps can’t be bridged. Maybe your co-workers don’t want to make a connection. Maybe your attempts to build a relationship fizzled. Whatever the reason, you tried to get along, but nothing has changed.

You’re going to have to be the bigger person. Find ways to accept the situation and do what you can to keep things professional.

If a dispute develops, don’t escalate. Stay calm and professional, even if your co-workers are purposely pushing your buttons.

If it gets too bad, you can look for ways to avoid the worst people in the office. Ask to transfer to another team. Work some flex hours so your schedules don’t match up. Physically move your workspace.

Don’t Let It Ruin the Job

Ultimately, your work life is about the work. If you have an engaging, interesting, inspiring position that fits into your long-term career plans, that’s an enviable situation. Don’t let the other people bring you down. Put your head down and focus on the work.

A great job is one thing. A great company is something more. By partnering with a top-flight staffing firm, like SmartTalent, you can find opportunities that include warm, encouraging cultures.

Contact SmartTalent today to find out more.