How To Deal With Toxic Coworkers

Summary

This video provides insights on navigating organizational changes, career growth, and teamwork in the tech industry. It emphasizes the importance of patience during reorgs, as they can present new opportunities, but also advises careful evaluation before making decisions. The speaker discusses the value of investing in mentoring teammates, recognizing that teaching others leads to greater team efficiency and personal growth. Additionally, the speaker encourages self-reflection on communication and behavior, urging professionals to avoid being toxic and to foster a positive work environment. Ultimately, career advancement requires balancing technical expertise with strong leadership and mentorship.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mergers, acquisitions, and reorgs can offer new opportunities, but also create chaos. Wait until the dust settles before making decisions about staying or leaving.
• 😀 If a reorg creates instability that doesn't resolve over time, it might be a good idea to start preparing your resume and look for other opportunities.
• 😀 Organizational change can lead to unexpected opportunities, but you need to assess whether the chaos has ended and if a bigger role is possible.
• 😀 Reorgs are a chance to grow, but only if you’re open to new challenges and willing to adapt to the changes around you.
• 😀 Learning is an investment—teaching others takes time but pays off in the long run when they can teach others and contribute more effectively.
• 😀 You need to be patient when mentoring others; not every investment in growth yields immediate results, but there’s significant long-term benefit.
• 😀 You may be working with people who don’t yet have the knowledge or skills you do—investing time in their growth can have a multiplying effect in the future.
• 😀 Be careful with your communication style; calling colleagues 'dummies' or being impatient can hinder your relationships and your own growth potential.
• 😀 When aiming for staff-level roles, focus on being a great individual contributor while also developing the skills to support and grow others.
• 😀 Toxic behavior at work can damage your career, even if your intentions are good. It’s crucial to reflect on whether your actions may be perceived negatively.
• 😀 Cultivate self-awareness and adjust your behavior if needed. You may unintentionally be contributing to the toxic atmosphere if you don’t actively address your actions.

Q & A

What should you do during a merger or reorganization to determine if you should stay or leave?

You should wait until the initial chaos settles, which is referred to as the 'earthquakes' and 'aftershocks.' Once things stabilize, assess whether there are new opportunities for growth. If the situation doesn't stabilize, it might be time to consider leaving.

How can mergers and reorgs create opportunities for growth?

Mergers and reorgs can lead to new roles, responsibilities, and opportunities to take on bigger challenges, which can be beneficial for career advancement if you're open to these changes.

What should you consider before leaving your job after a reorg?

Before leaving, make sure to assess whether there are any hidden opportunities that might only appear during the rebuilding phase. It's important to evaluate if your current role could still offer growth and if you can find ways to overcome challenges within the new structure.

How can you frame your perspective when teaching less experienced coworkers?

You should view teaching as an investment. Though it may take time initially, helping others grow will eventually pay off, especially if they can take over tasks in the future and even teach others.

What is the main reason growing others is important for promotion?

Growing others is key because it shows you can scale your impact by training others to do tasks, making you a force multiplier. This is a crucial skill for advancing to higher roles, like staff-level positions.

How should you approach teaching tasks to others to ensure they learn effectively?

Rather than teaching specific tasks, focus on teaching others how to solve a generalized version of the problem. Show them how to find solutions independently, so they can handle different variations of the task without constant assistance.

What does it mean to be a 'force multiplier' in the workplace?

Being a 'force multiplier' means you are able to create greater impact by helping others develop their skills. This amplifies your own contributions by enabling others to perform tasks efficiently, ultimately scaling your effectiveness.

How can impatience in mentoring others be a barrier to success?

Impatience can prevent you from seeing the long-term value of teaching others. If you expect immediate results, you might give up too soon. It's important to understand that the payoff for investing time in others takes time but will lead to multiplied benefits in the future.

What is a potential problem with seeing your coworkers as 'dummies'?

Labeling coworkers as 'dummies' is not only disrespectful, but it can also hinder your ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively. It’s crucial to recognize that everyone has different levels of experience and expertise, and this mindset could be holding you back from effectively supporting your team.

Why is it important to avoid toxic behavior in the workplace?

Toxic behavior can negatively impact your relationships with colleagues and hinder team performance. Even if your intentions are good, toxic actions like impatience, judgment, or disrespect can make you part of the problem, rather than the solution. Self-awareness and empathy are essential in creating a healthy work environment.