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How to Work with Annoying

By Brooke Parker

“Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.”—Isaac Asimov

Admit it. You work with annoying people.

Picture yourself in a meeting (don’t worry, this won’t be as boring). Picture the guy who’s always late sitting next to the woman checking her watch constantly. Remember the one person who explains things with too many words and the guy who has ideas that make zero sense in regard to the objective. Ugh, how annoying.

But hang on. You’re most likely one of them.

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Different personalities within the workforce take up so much of your time they should’ve mentioned it in the job description. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one frustrated. However, all these personalities bring different and beneficial leadership qualities to the table. It’s crucial to understand leadership types to make your job a bit less irritating. Personalities lie under every job title and it’s time to work with them.

So, let’s dig in and find out which type of annoying you are.

There are four types of leadership personalities. For now, lets call them blue, red, green and yellow. Take a look at the characteristics below and find yourself in one.

Blue

  • You like to take charge, be heard and run the show. It’s not uncommon for you to get things done quickly and find yourself bored easily. You’ve been called a “go-getter” but have also been called assertive, selfish and demanding. Sound like you? As a blue, you probably have something to say about it.

Red

  • You are incredibly inquisitive. Details drive your goals and you find it hard to start a project if you don’t know everything about it. People call you detailed and rule followers. Sometimes people think you’re negative because you point out the flaws in a project and ask the hard questions. Thinking too long about fitting yourself in this category? Fear not, you’re a red.

Green

  • You’re the big picture person. Sometimes, you can’t even get a project started until you can envision the end. You work from ideas and think differently than your colleagues. You are known as the ‘creatives’ who take too long to get anything done. If you’re not doodling by now, hello green.

Yellow

  • You take your time with information. Most of the time you care that everyone’s voice is heard and always bring others up with you. You’re known as a caretaker who brings the emotions into work. You’re the hippie of the workforce (hope that doesn’t hurt your feelings). Automatically want to name off the great things about each leadership type? Wait, are you crying? It’s okay, you’re yellow.

 

While you’re still in the meeting in your head (or in real life), think of what irritates you most about each type.

Those blues. Always demanding something and work way too fast. The quality sure could’ve been better. Also, they’re just kind of jerks.

 And reds? What Debbie-downers. I mean, do we really care about that insignificant percentage? I really wish they didn’t ask half the questions they do.

 Green. Creatives. Why do they get to dress like hipsters to work? You’re wearing converse. Work faster.

 Emotional yellows. These people are just too nice for the workplace. Everyone can’t be pleased so stop trying and get to work!

 

Now, flip it. It might be hard for the blues but think of all the good that comes from each leadership type. Dig deep, it’s there.

If it wasn’t for the blues we would’ve surpassed the deadline and lost business. Thanks for the paycheck!

 That percentage we forgot to look over sure could’ve caused a disaster. Also, hang on, I’d never thought of the implications of this decision. Let’s fix it and say thanks to red.

 Okay, it’s easy to give greens a hard time. But without that big picture thought, we wouldn’t have had a clue what direction to take. Also, our website looks killer. Cheers, green.

There’s no way my voice would’ve been heard without the yellows (especially in a room of blues). Because of that, I got to speak up and feel support in my ideas.

 

As you guessed, the most effective leaders will have a mix of all personalities. To grasp all leadership types, you have to make an effort to be them (this includes channeling your emotional side). Begin to dive into your own leadership type and attempt to fix the annoying parts. They aren’t wrong, but you could use a characteristic from another type to help you out.

As public relations professionals, we wear an unlimited number of hats. We can get into the mindsets of different personalities, but we need to work on evolving into a collection of all four professionally. The cool thing about this is, all other members of the workforce can strive to do the same.

As a blue, I’ve got to get back to work. But this time I’ll try it with a bit of yellow. Besides, adding a little color never hurt anybody.

I’d like to thank Professor Kristen Ruthstrom from the University of Central Missouri for teaching this valuable information.

Learn something or want to share annoying coworker stories? Let’s chat. Follow me on social!

     

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