The 10 Most Unwanted List

Do you like your coworkers? Do they like you? Obviously no one will get along with everyone on the planet, but TRYING to get along with others really is a soft skill that is worth its weight in gold.

Getting along with the people you work with is critical, especially if you’re in tight quarters. If you’re the “loud talker” in the office, for example, and you’re in a cube environment, your peers will probably not only dislike you, but complain about you behind your back. There are tons of traits that people have that grate on other people’s nerves, even if that person doesn’t mean it in a bad way. Here are some qualities you DON’T want to have:

1. The Mooch. If you forget to bring something to work and ask to borrow from someone, they probably won’t mind. Just pay them back or return the favor. But do this every week? You’re a mooch. Be more responsible and bring your own stuff.

2. The Brown-Noser/Kiss-Up. Everyone recognizes when someone is brown-nosing (buttering up the boss to get what you want), and as far as I can tell, no one likes it, including the boss. Don’t you brown-nosers know that? If not, now you do.

3. The Idea Thief. When you hear someone else’s great idea, tell them congratulations, but don’t steal it as your own. Better yet, give them credit in a meeting or in front of their boss. If someone keeps stealing your ideas and “impressing” the boss with them, it’s a tricky situation to get the credit you deserve. I would suggest keeping your ideas to yourself until you can present them to the boss directly.

4. The Know-It-All. No matter what you say, they always have more “insight” to add and consistently project an air of superiority. There are multiple ways to address this, but unfortunately none that I can think of that are nice. If you have ideas, I’d welcome them.

5. The Procrastinator. These are folks who wait until the last possible minute to get their project done. Or worse, they consistently miss deadlines that impact you or your work, forcing you to pick up the slack. If you work on your own, maybe it doesn’t matter, but if you’re in a team environment, you are causing unnecessary stress on others. Don’t we have enough stress in the world already without adding to it?

6. The Intimidator. I wrote a blog about this, but bullies in the workplace are common and totally unacceptable all at the same time. Just like your parents told you not to take it growing up, don’t take it now either. (Middle School All Over Again)

7. The Gossiper. I know no man is an island and you have to interact with others, but do you really have to become their best friend and tell each other secrets? Anyone remember Bill Rancic from The Apprentice, season one? I believe part of the reason he won was he didn’t get involved with all the gossip and pettiness. And remember: If you’re hearing the “gossip news” about a coworker, you can be sure they’re talking behind your back, too.

8. The Slacker. You know who I’m talking about. The same people who sat back and let others do their work all through school and seem to think they can continue that pattern. Stop being lazy and “Get ‘er done!” And bosses, yes you – be consistent with your performance reviews and address this behavioral issue. 360 degree feedback reviews will catch slackers, too.

9. The Whiner. My thoughts on this? Don’t complain about something unless you have a solution. Period.

10. The Rule Breaker. I’m a rule follower, which is a bit ironic if you knew about my teenage years. However, I do believe there are times when there are other ways of doing things that can work better. The catch is why you’re breaking the rules. If it’s because you think you’re above the rules, you will earn enemies and earn them fast.

Basically if you remember the Golden Rule and treat others as you would like to be treated, you will be a shining star in your organization and not the person everyone dreads being around.