Some work environments are comprised of a variety of people and their personalities. There are saints, worker-bees, leaders and numerous others that make up the team of people you collaborate with on a daily basis. People spend a majority of their days and nights focused on work projects and strategies. They also become more aware of the source of potential conflicts. Scarce resources, incompatible goals and perception issues are tantamount to creating hostility among work place colleagues.
Often these personalities work fine when focused on a common goal. However, there are times when the things like perception wreak havoc on a work environment. On a recent episode of the TV Show "Suits" the character Luis Litt, a partner in a New York Law Firm decided to fabricate a situation in which he would save the day in order to earn another partner's adoration. Luis' actions of pretending to support another colleagues' inappropriate behavior had one main goal: to create the "hero" persona he craved at work.
The issue with creating false expectations or situations where one person is the sole hero is that after a while your peers will tire of feeling like there is only one savior in every work place situation. So how do you combat peers trying to use the "Hero" syndrome at work to make you and your colleagues look bad? Create a way to redistribute the work load so that only one person is perceived as leading the pack. In addition, get out of your comfort zone and talk with others to generate buzz regarding your extraordinary work efforts. Distribute weekly project tracking reports touting your work place progress.
Another work place personalities is the staffer who self-identifies as the "office victim." Their "whoaistome" attitude leaps front and center where the self proclaimed victim describes a litany of lies describing office scenarios where they seem to be "overwhelmed" every day. It is a unique situation and a difficult one to manage. For example, some peers may be readily interested in knowing why one person is always crying foul about being overworked while simultaneously making it seem like their colleagues are not doing enough to support the organization's mission.
In the TV Show Suits, the same character Luis Litt always makes himself the "office victim" so he can garner attention and support from others. Litt's characters garners so much interest in this type of diatribe. Therefore, he has the ability to control the narrative because there will always be others who want to save the day by unleashing their "hero persona."
The challenge is ensuring that you are not perceived as the person who is perceived as creating the unfair work environment where your peer or peers are considered as the only ones making an effort. How can one possibly combat this type of scenario? Take control of the "office victim" narrative by sharing your own account of your work related progress. The fine balance is to ensure that you discuss your collaborative accomplishments as a team so as to avoid the perception that you are aiming to become the next workplace "hero."
How do you manage incorrect office perceptions? You can ignore the inaccurate narrative and assume your extraordinary work will make you stand out. You may consider going directly to the person spinning the inaccurate opinions, however there is a potential they will cry foul as to yield a victim scenario that will only hinder your efforts. A third more advantageous option is to increase your awareness of the hero/victim spin cycle that is going on. Be cognizant of your peer's perception, acknowledge that their perceptions even if you disagree with their assertions. Then continue to focus on generating tangible work products by leveraging team work.
The office hero and victims play is a strategy used by some colleagues that may lack certain skills, have low confidence or are simply trying to garner the attention of leadership by spinning the narrative of the office politics. Your goal is to not be distracted by the weekly "heroes and victims" scenarios because this type of effort has little staying power. Moreover, your ability to focus on your work and less on others' work place whims will result in tangible work products that advance the organization's mission.
Often these personalities work fine when focused on a common goal. However, there are times when the things like perception wreak havoc on a work environment. On a recent episode of the TV Show "Suits" the character Luis Litt, a partner in a New York Law Firm decided to fabricate a situation in which he would save the day in order to earn another partner's adoration. Luis' actions of pretending to support another colleagues' inappropriate behavior had one main goal: to create the "hero" persona he craved at work.
The issue with creating false expectations or situations where one person is the sole hero is that after a while your peers will tire of feeling like there is only one savior in every work place situation. So how do you combat peers trying to use the "Hero" syndrome at work to make you and your colleagues look bad? Create a way to redistribute the work load so that only one person is perceived as leading the pack. In addition, get out of your comfort zone and talk with others to generate buzz regarding your extraordinary work efforts. Distribute weekly project tracking reports touting your work place progress.
Another work place personalities is the staffer who self-identifies as the "office victim." Their "whoaistome" attitude leaps front and center where the self proclaimed victim describes a litany of lies describing office scenarios where they seem to be "overwhelmed" every day. It is a unique situation and a difficult one to manage. For example, some peers may be readily interested in knowing why one person is always crying foul about being overworked while simultaneously making it seem like their colleagues are not doing enough to support the organization's mission.
In the TV Show Suits, the same character Luis Litt always makes himself the "office victim" so he can garner attention and support from others. Litt's characters garners so much interest in this type of diatribe. Therefore, he has the ability to control the narrative because there will always be others who want to save the day by unleashing their "hero persona."
The challenge is ensuring that you are not perceived as the person who is perceived as creating the unfair work environment where your peer or peers are considered as the only ones making an effort. How can one possibly combat this type of scenario? Take control of the "office victim" narrative by sharing your own account of your work related progress. The fine balance is to ensure that you discuss your collaborative accomplishments as a team so as to avoid the perception that you are aiming to become the next workplace "hero."
How do you manage incorrect office perceptions? You can ignore the inaccurate narrative and assume your extraordinary work will make you stand out. You may consider going directly to the person spinning the inaccurate opinions, however there is a potential they will cry foul as to yield a victim scenario that will only hinder your efforts. A third more advantageous option is to increase your awareness of the hero/victim spin cycle that is going on. Be cognizant of your peer's perception, acknowledge that their perceptions even if you disagree with their assertions. Then continue to focus on generating tangible work products by leveraging team work.
The office hero and victims play is a strategy used by some colleagues that may lack certain skills, have low confidence or are simply trying to garner the attention of leadership by spinning the narrative of the office politics. Your goal is to not be distracted by the weekly "heroes and victims" scenarios because this type of effort has little staying power. Moreover, your ability to focus on your work and less on others' work place whims will result in tangible work products that advance the organization's mission.
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