How to Be Awesome at Your Job

745: How to Handle Bad Bosses and Toxic Coworkers with Tessa West

13 snips
Feb 24, 2022
Tessa West, an Associate Professor of Psychology at NYU and author of "Jerks at Work," shares her expertise on navigating toxic workplaces. She explores the seven common types of workplace jerks and offers strategies to handle difficult bosses and coworkers. Listeners learn how to recognize intentional jerks and identify their own workplace behaviors. Tessa emphasizes the importance of communication and self-awareness to improve workplace dynamics, along with the need for proactive approaches to manage conflicts before they escalate.
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ANECDOTE

Public Cry at Company Meeting

  • A woman publicly confronted her coworkers with tears about being ignored and disrespected at a Fortune 500 company event.
  • The moment became uncomfortable and marked her exit as she felt no respect remained and was labeled dramatic.
INSIGHT

Smart Confrontation Strategies

  • Confronting jerks at work immediately is often not the best strategy, especially with intentional jerks.
  • Starting with compliments reduces threat and improves the chance of a positive outcome.
ADVICE

Avoid Direct Confrontation With Jerks

  • Avoid confronting intentional jerks like kiss up, kick downers or gaslighters directly.
  • Instead, gather allies and escalate through appropriate channels to protect yourself and address issues.
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