Get these tips as a free eBook by joining the newsletter here.
Tip #76: “Don’t Take Credit for Another’s Work”
It happens. Sometimes it’s on purpose, and other times, maybe someone assumes you’re the praiseworthy person behind something and gives you kudos you don’t want to decline, so you don’t. The person who actually earned the praise is likely to find out about it. Some have the guts to speak up, and this is where it gets ugly. Even if they say nothing to you, they have work friends, too, and may let the truth be known. Others also might just know. This stunt seldom works out well.
Tip #77: “Don’t Step on Toes”
Offering to help someone with their work can be fine as long as you don’t seem like it’s because you think they’re incompetent. The bigger sin is actually doing someone else’s work for them unasked. Even worse is deleting someone else’s work and redoing it, then handing it back to them. But aren’t you supposed to collaborate, you ask? Yes, but agreeing up front that one is doing the work and the other person is reviewing and tweaking it to help is altogether different from bashing through another person’s responsibilities without consent.
Tip #78: “Avoid Going Over Their Head”
When a coworker is not doing what you need and this is interfering with your job, going to their manager is a poor next move. The exception is if you share the same one. After all, you are supposed to tell yours of any troubles you run into, though it’s still best to do it in person and with a smile. Afterward, send your manager a quick reminder email devoid of finger pointing. The goal of the email is posterity, that you told them on a certain date, if questioned. Do it under the guise of a friendly reminder because you know they’re busy, and be aware it can be forwarded to the person you are squealing on, so be careful. It’s your manager’s job, not yours, to tell the other person’s manager to get their guy moving on it.
Tip #79: “It’s Not My Job Syndrome”
We all have job duties, and when a manager asks you to do something that isn’t your job, it’s tempting to point this out, but don’t. This says quite loudly, “I’m not a team player.” That your manager has asked you automatically makes it your job, even if it might be demeaning or even inappropriate. The best bet there might be to do a bad job of it so that they think twice about asking you again, but do not overdo it. Revenge in the corporate world is best had in petty ways that provide plausible deniability.
Tip #80: “Never Show Attitude”
People and work can be annoying, but it’s seldom wise to reveal you’ve got an attitude about someone or something. The more warranted the annoyance is, the less it should be shown. The worse it is, the more you should feign amusement and good humor. This is a life skill to master. It can save your neck from the chopping block. If you want to bitch, that’s what your friends and family are for!