6 Ways to Cope with Negative Coworkers at School
A negative coworker in any workplace can be extremely frustrating, especially if you are just starting out. Let me amplify that sentiment by claiming it to be one hundred thousand times worse when the negative coworkers are actual adults who work with children for a living. Holy moly!
Whether it’s at your first teaching job or in your first job at any company, there will likely be times when you have to interact with someone who wants to bring others down with them. To help you learn how to deal with negative coworkers, here are six strategies that have worked well for me.
1) Walk Away
If you’re dealing with a particularly difficult co-worker, you don’t necessarily have to take their negative attitude personally. If it’s clear that they’re actively taking steps to make your (or anyone else's) workday harder—and you are under no obligation to put up with their nonsense—there’s no harm in walking away from them. You don't want to be seen anywhere near that negativity. It's definitely a bad look. Just walk the heck away!
2) Don't Take the Bait
All too often, we let other people’s negativity get us down. The best thing you can do is avoid biting back or reacting. Instead, try neutralizing them as a teacher would a situation with a student. You can also just ignore their negative remarks and focus on your work. If they continue, confront them directly and professionally, stating what you observed in a calm voice. Be careful not to take it personally; even well-meaning co-workers may simply be having a bad day or dealing with frustration of their own. Compassion goes a long way here, but so does silence!
3) Lead by Example
One of the most effective ways to foster a positive work environment is to lead by example. Be respectful, help others when you can, and offer thoughtful input on projects. If you approach your schoolwork as a team effort, you’ll be much more likely to have positive co-workers in return. This sort of environment promotes collaboration and minimizes negativity. Positivity begets positivity!
4) Provide Solutions
As a leader in your school, you may find yourself working alongside negative coworkers who seek to bring others down. They may not realize this is what they are doing. Even so, it is EXACTLY what they are doing!
Don’t ignore problems: Avoidance is tempting when you work in a stressful environment. Sometimes, though, ignoring a negative coworker is like ignoring an annoying buzzing sound—you just want it to go away. The problem with avoidance is that you end up letting your problems fester and get worse. Plus, a negative attitude can be contagious. (Good grief! Has a truer thing ever been written?)
So, when a coworker is playing fast and loose with the negativity, provide them with solutions to their complaints. You probably won't actually have to do anything. Sometimes solutions are as simple as reminding them they can just ask the teacher across the hall to borrow a charger; rather than being angry at the world while making assumptions that someone was out to get them by stealing theirs.
5) Set Healthy Boundaries
Dealing with negative coworkers can be tough, especially if they’re your boss or a coworker in a leadership position. While it might seem like you have no choice but to get along (or risk getting fired...or WORSE, PUT ON AN IMPROVEMENT PLAN! Sheesh!), there are strategies you can use set healthy boundaries between yourself and those "woe is me" colleagues. The key? Being specific. Try any of these tips for setting healthy boundaries:
1. No gossiping
2. Give sincere compliments only
3. Strictly use work time for work
4. Spend time away from work on rest, leisure, and self-improvement
Sounds too easy, but healthy boundaries really do require intention!
6) Communicate Effectively
When dealing with a co-worker who has a negative attitude, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication. To do so, consider how you speak to your coworkers. You may be tempted to talk down or bully your colleague into submission. (No denial allowed! We have all done this!) However, keep in mind that doing so will likely cause him or her to close up further and dig in his or her heels. Instead, take responsibility for what you say—which will require some self reflection—and approach your coworker as an equal.
Final Thoughts
School is tough enough without working alongside negative colleagues. If your work environment has its share of mean girls, it’s up to you to bring positivity and light into your classroom (and office). The tips in this post offer effective ways for dealing with negative coworkers; remember: it is possible to turn a difficult situation into a positive experience!
Hang in there! You've got this!
