Surviving coworkers who are slackers

What’s your strategy for dealing with a slacker?

Your Rant: Everyone has always called me a type-A personality. Recently I realized that it wasn’t a compliment, most people just thought I was a jerk. I’d like to change, but I don’t even know where to start.

911 Repair,

If I had to pick a favorite type of criminal from all the ones I’ve written about it would be people who steal slow moving vehicles and then try to out run police going 20 miles an hour or less. For example a 29 year old man recently stole a tractor that was towing an 18-foot-wide plow. He was chased (if 20 mph can be called “chasing”) by police from Wheaton, MN all the way to South Dakota until he finally crashed.

What didn’t work for this guy, taking a slower path, is just what the doctor ordered for you. You might be surprised at the new perspective and appreciation you’ll gain by approaching your career differently. Below I’ve listed some strategies for slowing down. For more, check out “Superman Complex” by Max Carey (Longstreet, 1999).

Do you only talk with people who can help you? A friend once said that the best time to strike up a conversation with someone is precisely when you don’t need something from him or her. But it’s more than that. You’ll be amazed at how many people have interesting stories and insight. Take the time to get to know people and you just might learn something.

Can you play a game just for the fun of it? Our culture gives accolades to people who always try to win at everything that they do. But there is another word for people who stomp their ten-year olds in Scrabble or basketball-jerks. There are times to keep score and there are times when you shouldn’t. Try playing a game just for the fun of playing and you might realize that always keeping score can ruin a perfectly good game.

Can you stop multitasking? There are times when someone deserves your undivided attention; an employee who asks for your advice, your kid who is having a really bad day, etc. Put down whatever you are working on and focus just on them. Sure you won’t be as efficient as possible for those few minutes, but I guarantee that the other person will appreciate your undivided attention.

Do you apologize? Apologizing is a good thing. Whenever you screw up seek out the people whom you’ve harmed and let them know that you are truly sorry. And if you don’t think you ever screw up, you’re probably not paying close enough attention to the impact that you’re having on the people around you.

Do you have sense of humor? I’m not talking about teasing people (especially people who report to you). When was the last time that you made a joke at your own expense?

It’s not always the hare that wins the race, taking a slower path can help you finish ahead in the end.

911 pulse:

Which best describes you at work?

• An accident waiting to happen, 4.6%
• Superhero, 33.7%
• Average guy, 61.5%

User strategy:

Our winning strategy for dealing with a Type A personality comes from A.R. in Chicago, IL. “I used to take lots of work home. I was always on duty. One time I was sitting at my kids playground doing a report and I realized that I was missing my kids childhood. Now when I’m with my kids I really work hard to be with my kid. It’s made a huge difference at home, but surprisingly I’ve found that I’m also able to better focus when I’m at work.”

Bob Rosner and Sherrie Campbell author the nationally syndicated workplace911 column weekly. Bob’s a best-selling author and award-winning journalist who has responded to over 50,000 emails from employees, bosses and entrepreneurs. Sherrie’s a relationship expert and award-winning comedian who has offered quick, intuitive and humorous responses to over 30,000 people. He’s been called “Dilbert, with a solution.” She’s the counselor with a kick. Together they’ve turned rants into raves via TV, radio, print and live on their website at workplace911.com.