Everyone who’s working, or have worked on a school project with that one person that you just loathe. Maybe you dislike them, maybe they don’t like you, maybe they’re difficult to work with, or maybe they're just plain daft.
Okay, here’s a little confession, I really meant talking about people that are just slow to the point where they come across dumb and pull you down.
Honestly, if you were any slower, you’d be going backwards. — J.K. Rowling
Now, I’m not saying that they’re actually dumb, dumb. I’m saying that they’re just not fit for the job or not on par with you and becomes a deadweight for the task at hand.
I’m not the smartest person there is. Heck, at the time of writing, I only have a Diploma. So by no means am I looking down on people and saying that I am better than everyone.
I just think some people are so difficult to work with, you end up calling them an idiot and at the end of the day, hamper performance and result in substandard work.
So why are people difficult to work with?
Different people have different standards and ways of working. Some might be okay with C but you might want an A. You might be quick but meticulous, the other might take a longer time to have the same attention to detail.
Whatever the case may be, people work differently. It also frustrates us if we don’t get what we want, how we want it. When a fellow co-worker is slower than us, or unable to produce the same quality of work, it annoys us.
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups. — George Carlin
There are so many occasions, to the point where I can’t remember, of how I feel that the people I’m working with are a bunch of idiots. Not going to lie, I’ve always thought that since school all the way up to now.
Over the years however, I’ve grown to ask the question, why? It’s not that they’re really really stupid, although I can’t defend that one kid in High School who scored an F.
Difference is what separates.
I realized over the years that it’s the difference on how each and every one of us function that makes us tick.
How Adam does things, might be completely different than Jack, and Cody can work better with Adam, but Stacy just can’t stand the guys, and neither than the boys stand Stacy, but Adam and Stacy can get along better.
So let us talk about differences. An Ashley Lutz from Business Insider wrote this article about the secret to working with different people. It’s a good read if you have time, otherwise, here’s the rundown of the 4 types.
Direct People
These people are very outgoing, they tend to lead by taking action. They’re the kind of people that aren’t afraid to make decisions.
Direct people are great at getting the job done. They’re assertive people and they aren’t afraid to take risks. However, they aren’t very much liked, they don’t play the popularity game.
They can sometimes jump to conclusions cause they want results quick. They also tend to come off as arrogant, or an asshole. Direct people are more abrasive with their words and blunt, not afraid to say what’s on their mind.
Spirited People
Ah, the most cheerful of the bunch. These people are very charismatic and loves, and I do mean loves to get others involved in whatever they’re doing. They wait for group work like kids wait for Christmas morning.
Because of their friendly nature, they are a joy to work with. At least when come break time. They’re usually very cooperative and easy to get along, however ridiculously sensitive.
They are the opposite of direct people when it comes to decisions, they are so timid they need to be 100% absolutely sure about it. They’re the type that waits until all the information is at their hands or when there’s no other choice.
They’re prone to outburst due of their sensitive nature. You can’t push these people. You need be careful where you step with them. They don’t take criticism very well, best not make it personal. Make it sound about the project as best as possible. Don’t worry about the small details with them, they will cave. Quick.
Considerate People
Ah, you might think these are the best people to have in your group. They’re the best at collaborating, they’re flexible and will recognise you if your idea is better than what’s already on the table.
They encourage and coach to make sure everyone is on the same level and avoids any sort of conflict. They employ the ‘nobody gets left behind’ mentality.
All that pros must come with cons right? Yeah, they don’t make the best leaders. They are bad at making decisions and giving feedback. They function best as the support of the group.
They also need to be held every step of the way in terms of work, you can’t dump a load of work on them, they function better if they aren’t overwhelmed.
Oh, and to get their opinion? Be prepared to have a stick in hand to start poking them every few minutes.
Systematic Personality
These people…Let me tell you about these people. Some say there’s no such thing as being too thorough? Wrong. Those are what systematic people are. They are also sometimes very annoying.
The systematic kin are good to have though, they’re usually very analytical, precise and doesn’t leave a stone unturned. You can be rest assured that with these people, they will not leave any bases uncovered.
They aren’t with out their flaws though. Systematic kinds can get really hung on their attention to details. They can seem very inflexible cause all they want to do is follow the system, and can be quite insensitive to those that disagree.
With systematic people, you need to be careful. You should give them candid feedback and also when trying to make a point, always, always, have the facts and data to back it up.
So, what does this difference matter?
“I don’t get it Aaron, it seems like the above 4 types should work well with each other, it’s a perfect balance!”, you might say.
Perfect balance is important. IF they can work together.
The thing with people and their different work habits is that they aren’t usually very receptive with how other people work. I know I’m not. — Nobody is perfect, so cut me some slack.
As much as having spirited people are good, I loathe them. I feel like they’re there just to make a lot of noise, and don’t really contribute all too much to what the work actually requires.
Back to the group of people, in that scenario, you can tell Stacy is the spirited enthusiastic one. Adam is the considerate, and well, Jack and Cody — they’re the assholes of the bunch. The Direct and Systematic.
“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.” — Harlan Ellison
Okay, so how do I work together with people I don’t like.
Simple solution? You don’t.
Realistically though, not all of us has that option. Not everyone gets to choose who he or she works with. Not everyone get’s to swipe left at a co-worker.
Sadly, real life isn’t Tinder, we can’t just swipe off people we don’t like.
So what do you do in this situation? No way around it buddy, you suck it up and you deal with it.
Now that’s not to say you have to compromise and start liking them, oh hell no! I work with people I don’t like too, and usually, it’s as unpleasant as it gets. It’s hard not being able to call someone an ‘incompetent imbecile’.
You need to learn to do one very important thing, and hopefully something that you’ll take away from this and always keep with you.
Put aside emotions and personal attachments; focus on the work and objective at hand.
When you put aside the hatred, the opinions, you’ll learn to try and adapt to how others work. You may not like it — I hate it.
You need to realize that the world is not just about you. You’re being paid to do a job, and that job isn’t to find people you like to work with. You might not like Jack or Cody cause they’re assholes, but they’re good at what they do.
Put aside personal vendettas and achieve whatever it is you need to achieve.
AND THEN, kill them.
Don’t throw away a company milestone cause you don’t like someone. Have a truce, kick ass, and then kick each other in the gonads.
This is just my opinion though, I’d love to know what you think!