At work, there are four types of colleague, irrespective of ‘rank’ or ‘hierarchy’. I know it’s a simplification, but bear with me because there is a simple test to identify what type of colleague they are.
Ask yourself a simple question. Would you have two drinks with them after work, and do you want to be on a project with them?
Why two drinks you ask? – Well, everyone can have the obligatory coffee, or drink after work as part of a work social. But would you want to stick around and have a second with them? It’s not a ‘mates’ thing. It’s work colleagues. But perhaps you get on well, and have mutual respect for each other. With them you don’t have to find an excuse to leave early.
So, would you have two drinks with them? Yes or no?
And then a project. Would you want to work with them, and actually seek out projects that they’re part of? Do they lead well? Do they do their fair share of work when tasked? Do they listen, allow space, and value all opinions equally? Or, is it someone, whom if they are on a project means that you want to avoid that one like the plague? They dominate, or keep getting side tracked, or perhaps they don’t even turn up at all. So again, Yes, or no?
Two drinks and a project?
The yes, yes’s. – Logically these are work relationships to foster. They work both ways, and just generally make the work environment a better place to be. You can work hard, and play sensibly. There’s great empathy, understanding and mutual respect.
The no, yes’s. They are brilliant on a project and great to work with, but perhaps just not in the same social space as you as an individual. That’s OK. Afterall, it’s work. You don’t have to socialise afterwards, and can still enjoy working with them and be productive.
The yes, no’s. – Oh trickier. They might be good for a couple of drinks, but the tension starts to come in if they don’t pull their weight when that deadline looms. Or perhaps they have some of those other traits. You know taking credit for work that you did, asking you to take on their task last minute because somehow they just couldn’t get it done. In my mind that nudges them into a space where perhaps you don’t want to have two drinks with them either.
The no no’s. – Says it all really. You don’t want to work with them because, there’s no emotional connection, and there is perhaps even growing resentment at an inability to pull their own weight. But, hang on a second. What’s the root cause behind them being a no, no? Have they always been a no, no? Or has something changed. In a good organisation, someone who is turning into a no, no will get identified, and hopefully get the support and a steer to getting back on track. However, if the person has always been a no, no, has had fair and reasonable support offered, and still not been able to turn it around, then just, no.
Inspired by ‘Two Beers and Puppy’ by Ross McCammon.
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