10 Annoying Office Stereotypes And How To Avoid Playing One


Shakespeare tells us that ‘all the world’s a stage’ and we each play a role in this world. But Shakespeare’s concept of role-playing applies not just to the world, in general, but to the work world as well.

Taking into account the time-tested words of the famous playwright, let’s look at the following ‘official’ stereotypes of the work world and how they can provide an understanding of how you might be perceived by others. If you understand the role that you play in your office, you can change your reputation, and, thereby, increase your chances at corporate survival:

1. Are you the Office Grump?
Let’s face it, in general, no one wants to work with a miserable person, no matter how efficient, timely, accountable, accurate, or original. If you suspect that you may have acquired a less-than-admirable reputation for reasons of grumpiness or downright cantankerousness, consider that it’s never too late to ‘turn that frown upside down.’

ADVICE: Get into the office earlier, if at all possible, so that fellow workers are actually seeing you an hour after your morning has began; drink your coffee, and, if need be, avoid conversation at all costs until you can behave yourself (maybe set aside your morning time for reading news and email). We can’t all be morning people, but we can make sure to do the things that morning people do: smile, say hello in a cheerful voice, etc. If faking it seems phony, just try it for a while, and maybe what seems false at first will turn into habit, and then come about naturally.

2. Are you the Office Ego-maniac?

If you automatically answered, “Of course not! I’m simply incredible in all regards!” this may apply to you. You might be really great in your job; you might always arrive on time, do your work well, and leave after a job well done. However, if you can’t admit fault or play by others’ rules, you may have earned the not-so-royal title of ‘Your Highness’ behind your back at work. Ask yourself, who do you want on your team: A megalomaniac with a self-image the size of a skyscraper or a team player who can work with anyone?

ADVICE: People don’t like the Office Egomaniacs because they feel that this type of person is looking down on them and judging them, (which, of course, is exactly what one does). The easiest way to moderate a reputation for an elevated ego is to compliment others. Allowing others to see that you think that others can be great, too, will make them feel more comfortable around you, and it will be easier to forget past offenses. But remember moderation in all things: Give credit where credit is due, but don’t overdo it-or your co-workers may think that you aren’t being sincere.

3. Are you the Office Troll?

What is a troll, you ask? A troll is a being and/or creature who sits ‘neath a bridge, demanding billy-goats in exchange for passage across said bridge. Metaphorically, an Office Troll is a gatekeeper, someone who has a small, infinitesimal bit of power (i.e., ownership of a walking bridge), who uses this to gain as much control as possible. A troll is an authoritarian, a pedant, or a teeny little tyrant (who lacks enough power to be a full-grown tyrant). It is probably hard to tell if you are reputed to be the Office Troll, (as the troll, by nature, is not self-aware), but if you can admit that perhaps you have wielded power when it wasn’t entirely necessary, read on.

ADVICE: Look at the large picture. You’re at work to work, to get a job done, and to make things run as smoothly as absolutely possible. You are not at work to make others do your will. If you find that, when you have the option, you simply do not go the extra step to help others out, try it, just once. I’m pretty sure you’ll find the gratitude and recognition that, deep down, an ‘Office Troll’ seeks. If you absolutely must stick to all of the rules all of the time, at least learn the phrases “Please” and “Thank you” and use them-a little bit of friendliness goes a long way.

4. Are you the Office Gossipmonger?
Also known as a Backstabber, a Busy Body, or a Bigmouth, the Gossipmonger has a reputation for knowing the past, present, and future of everyone’s reputation. However, having such a status might keep your status at a standstill. That is, it is very unlikely that you will be promoted until this reputation is bettered because, after all, what if you have the juiciest dirt on the powers that be? A Gossipmonger can never be trusted.

ADVICE: If you have so much time on your hands that you can get into everyone else’s business at your place of business, maybe you need more work to do! Try asking your boss for more responsibility. Maybe you will be so overwhelmed with new duties that you won’t be able to remember what everyone is up to in the office. If you absolutely feel the compulsion to gossip about your co-workers, then save all of your tasty office tidbits for home. Limit your gossip sessions for after work with friends, family, or whoever will listen. If you simply cannot resist the urge to gossip with your co-workers, try following a new reality show, then gossip about these characters with your colleagues. This alternative might not be as ‘real life’ as you would like, but it could save your reputation.

5. Are you the Negative Nancy?
A Negative Nancy is someone who drains another’s life blood through negativity. More specifically, a Negative Nancy, as he or she pertains to an office, is a Crybaby, a Whiner, a “Poor Me,” who can always do one better than another’s worst woe with the careful recounting of personal troubles (“You think you’ve got problems…”).

ADVICE: Even if you can elucidate your latest trial/tribulation in colorful and thrilling detail with dramatic gesticulation and clever exclamatory language, leave the histrionics for the extracurricular theater class. Our advice is to listen to others’ conversations more often, and follow their lead. Don’t focus on the negative of what another says, but grasp onto whatever positive thread is weaved through another’s words. Be cognizant of your personal tales, and if you find that the majority of them are negative and potentially draining of another’s energy, it is never too late to share positive information about your life to counteract your previous pessimism. Remember that it is simply unprofessional to share too much, in particular negative material-except with a paid therapist.

6. Are you the Office Bible Thumper?

If not a Bible Thumper, the Politico, the Conservative or the Liberal, and all other excessively opinionated individuals, often leave others feeling on edge. No one wants to feel put on the spot and no one wants to have ideas thrust upon them. If they did, they would attend your church, synagogue, or National Republican Convention with you. Have you noticed that others cower in your presence or lower their gaze when you begin pontificating? Do you compulsively moralize, considering touchy subjects with unenthusiastic audiences?

ADVICE: Become aware of what your discussions tend towards. If you consistently breach touchy subjects, you should know that this creates discomfort. If you insist upon imparting your opinion, make sure to preface it with a “This is just my opinion, but…” If someone disagrees with you, listen to them-just as they listened to you-and let them feel secure that they, too, are entitled to their opinion. Also, learn the phrase “Agree to disagree” and make sure to utilize this phrase if a conversation should become heated. If you really need an outlet for heated discussions, of course, seek other venues besides your office. Your reputation will thank you for it.

7. Are you the Office Doormat?
Do people walk all over you because they have before and they know they can once again? Being the office doormat, unfortunately, is a downward spiral. Once people know that you are obliging and kind, they will take and take from you until you can give no more. Let’s look at some ways to overturn this negative reputation before it spirals out of control.

ADVICE: Most people who are doormats are terrified of being perceived as rude, (which isn’t a totally negative sentiment), but there are ways to say “no” without coming across as a jerk. If someone asks you something that is simply not in your job description, and they could just as easily do it as you, then begin with saying “I’m sorry, but I just don’t think that I will have time today.” If they pursue the subject, then start to list, for them, all of the things that you have to do. Hopefully your list will bore them to tears, and they will seek out the next doormat from whom they can solicit favors. Also, learn to look for the warning signs of a favor-asker. If someone begins a conversation with “Hey, Bob, what do you have on tap for this afternoon?” consider that they might not be interested in your afternoon’s tasks, but they might be setting you up to request a favor. If you hear this question or any of its carefully disguised cousins, make sure to let the favor-asker know exactly what you do have on tap. Above all, make sure that you convey that your time is well accounted for.

8. Are you the office man-hoe?
You don’t have to be involved in literal sexual relations with your co-workers to be presumed a man-hoe. Sometimes the overly flirtatious and overtly sexual can earn a reputation for being less-than-respectable simply for the manner in which they act. Do you curse like a sailor, drink like a fish, or share intimate details of last weekend’s romantic interlude? You may be considered the office man-hoe.

ADVICE: Try to learn a new way to relate with people, besides the lowest common denominator of bawdy humor or through capricious flirting. It may have become second nature to you to flirt with others, but this is 100% inappropriate for the business world. If you need to bond with people, try relating with external activities, hobbies, work topics, etc-and steer clear of conversation that is too intimate. Also, if you are too touchy-feely, this needs to be curtailed if not completely terminated. Try to imagine a co-workers’ boyfriend/husband/partner and how they would interpret your actions.

9. Are you the Office Fire Breather?
Do you have a short temper? When people step into your office, do they fear for their lives? Although a reputation for being thick-skinned protects you from potential attack, with your reputation preceding you and preparing others to be alert in your presence, the rageful reputation can also be extremely off-putting to friendlier and warmer types.

ADVICE: Every Fire Breather is still human. Show this side, the softer side, to your co-workers. It’s best to control your anger and learn to deal with your co-workers in a more friendly way. In fact, people will relax and appreciate your humanity. Specifically, if you are known as ill-tempered, make a conscious effort to laugh more often. Hopefully your colleagues will learn that your bark is bigger than your bite. Of course, if you do bite, consider anger management to discover the source of your fire-breathing tendencies.

10. Are you the Office Elitist?
Do you have your very own clique at work? Do you always lunch with the same people? Do others, you think, feel excluded from your group? Although it’s always easiest to stay within a defined group, your reputation might be suffering from your lack of sociability.

ADVICE: Branch out. You don’t always have to have lunch with the same group at the same time in the same place. Feel free to invite someone new to lunch. This is a good business move as well as a good move for your reputation. If other people in the office know that you aren’t just out with the usual crowd, then they will feel more relaxed around you. Who would you rather hire? Someone who can relate with everyone or someone who exclusively picks and chooses?

In general, all of the above office stereotypes are negative. People like to surround themselves with positive, happy people. In order to turn around a less-than-becoming reputation, you must learn to play a different role. Become someone who is easy to work with, cheerful, and considerate. Overall, the most important thing is to be happy. If you are happy, genuinely happy, then this will communicated to those around you, and nothing is more life-giving than someone who is happy. Who would you rather work with: Someone you like or someone you don’t like? The answer is obvious.

Remember, the above descriptions also serve as a guide for characters in an office with whom you should avoid aligning yourself, as birds of a feather do flock together-at least in others’ perceptions.


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