Work Enemy - Workplace Relationships - The Muse

Work Enemy - Workplace Relationships - The MuseWork Enemy - Workplace Relationships Im a big believer that what you do for a living brings you to work and who you work with makes it all worthwhile. Thats why its such a huge pain when someone in your office not only refuses to be a gruppe player, but also seems committed to being combatant. She says no to every idea you pitch. She refuses to acknowledge anyones effort but her own. She even rags on your lunch choices. I mean, seriously?Unfortunately, this isnt first grade (though that co-worker may be acting like it is), so you cant fuss with some higher-up to make her play nice. Youre an adult and a professional, so its up to you to have a strategy for changing the tone of the relationship.In this 15-minute podcast, Brian Uzzi, a professor of leadership at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, outlines his recommended approach to dealing with work enemies head-on. It boils down to the 3 Rs redirecting their emot ion away from you, offering reciprocity to reduce a point of tension, no strings attached, and using rationality to establish new terms.Go ahead, restore your serenity now (my own fourth R). Slip on your headphones to check out the podcast below, then read Uzzis argument at the Harvard Business Review.Photo of fighting toys courtesy of PAISAN HOMHUAN / Shutterstock.