Learn how to handle frenemies at work on this podcast. Discover the stress and health impacts of dealing with fake friends. Get practical advice on communication and boundary-setting to navigate workplace challenges.
Dealing with workplace frenemies can have a significant impact on mental and physical health, surpassing that of overt enemies.
Interactions with frenemies trigger heightened stress responses due to unpredictable behavior and emotional influence.
Navigating workplace frenemies requires assessing relationships objectively, setting boundaries, building strong relationships with other colleagues, and engaging in honest conversations.
Deep dives
Introduction to US-China Relationship and Workplace Survivor Stories
Jane Purlaz, a former Beijing bureau chief for the New York Times, introduces her podcast, Face Off, US vs China, providing insights into the US-China relationship. Eileen Mersel and Glenda Packenant share humorous workplace survival experiences on their podcast Surfing Corporate, highlighting their transition from corporate jobs to podcast hosting.
Understanding Work Frenemies
Work frenemies, individuals who pretend to be friends but act as rivals, are discussed. The challenges of dealing with frenemies at work are likened to encountering these dynamics in middle school. The importance of managing workplace frenemies is emphasized, as they can affect mental and physical health more than overt enemies.
Impact of Frenemies on Stress and Health
Julian Holt-Lunstad's research indicates that interactions with frenemies heighten stress responses more than overtly aversive relationships, impacting cardiovascular health. The uncertainty factor in frenemy relationships triggers elevated stress levels due to unpredictable behavior and emotional influence.
Strategies to Cope with Workplace Frenemies
Experts recommend strategies to navigate workplace frenemies, including assessing the relationship dynamics objectively. Suggestions include examining personalities through a structured blueprint and defining boundaries based on mutual goals. Direct conversations, building strong relationships with other colleagues, and self-awareness are key to mitigating stress and managing workplace frenemy scenarios.
Outcome of Honest Conversations and Self-Reflection
Honest conversations and self-reflection can transform workplace frenemy dynamics positively, as illustrated in personal anecdotes. Taking ownership of one's role in the relationship and proactively addressing communication challenges can lead to better outcomes and enhanced professional relationships.
Frenemies are a slithery and dangerous corporate species that can be found in all types of workplaces, in every industry, country, continent, or planet. Frenemies are people who pretend to be your friend, but they’re also in some ways an enemy or rival. They can be charming and very likable one minute, and then stab you in the back with a recently sharpened machete the next (ouch).
A recent study found that interactions with frenemies can heighten our stress responses MORE than aversive relationships. And over the long term, that seems to provoke worse cardiovascular health. So the sooner you learn tools to deal with frenemies, the better.
