The Drama-Free Workweek
How to Manage Difficult People for Workplace and Career Success
by
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The Mysterious Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
I once saw a sign which described Bill perfectly. Th e sign read, “I
can go from zero to psycho in 3.5 seconds.” One moment he can
be the nicest guy you ever met, very helpful and encouraging.
Th en without warning he is a totally different person, yelling,
using profanity, turning red in the face and you are left
wondering, where did this monster come from? Unfortunately,
none of us in the office have been able to figure out what causes
this sudden change in his personality.
Who Is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?
Aside from the popular character featured in the book
by Robert Louis Stevenson, the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
in the workplace is a mystery and often quite disturbing.
It is unknown what may trigger a person to switch from
Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde. It could be something as simple
as someone’s facial expression when they greeted him or
something someone said.
What You Can Do
1. Alert Your Human Resources Department. It is
important to note that some people you work with
may not be well psychologically. For this reason, any
repeated uncontrolled outbursts must be brought to the
attention of your human resources department. Your
human resources department will know how to get to
the root of the problem and ensure the person receives
the appropriate help, such as referring the person to
counselors through an Employee Assistance Program.
2. Remain Calm. Resist the urge to respond in an emotional
manner. Don’t scream or yell back at Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde. Walk away and allow him time to calm down. If
you must speak to him during the rant, keep your voice
calm and even-toned when speaking to him.
3. Listen. Show your concern by listening to him. Listen
to hear what the problem is. Do not approach while he is
in the rage. Let him calm down and then ask what made
him so angry. Ask him how you can support him.
4. Reply With Understanding. Acknowledge that it is
good to get his feelings out. However, convince him to
take a break to cool off , such as a walk outside or an early
lunch.
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Book Details
About the Book
One of the top reasons people change jobs is to escape the drama in the workplace—drama that is often precipitated by difficult bosses and difficult coworkers. But difficult people are found in every workplace, and running from them does not make them go away. In The Drama-Free Workweek, author Treivor Branch provides quick tips to manage workplace drama and the people who cause it.
A handy pocket guide, The Drama-Free Workweek helps you learn the secrets to quickly move from conflict to collaboration and make your working conditions virtually drama free.
About the Author
Treivor Branch is the CEO of the Branch Solution LLC and has twenty years of corporate experience and over twelve years as a human resources executive. She is a savvy workplace issues consultant, conflict management specialist, and executive career coach who specializes in maximizing workplace relationships. Ms. Branch is dedicated to helping career professionals overcome barriers to career success, managers become better leaders, and companies build positive productive work environments. Learn more about Ms. Branch and The Branch Solution at www.thebranchsolution.com.