Insulate Yourself From Workplace Negativity

We’ve all encountered negative people in the workplace. No matter the circumstances, they’re never happy, always complaining, and always the first ones to find fault with others. Even when you’ve had successes, they’re quick to point out areas where you could have done better.

Negativity is natural. Whether based on past experience or an active imagination, it's common to only think of the worst case scenario or apply nefarious intentions to someone's good actions. 

While you can’t affect how naysayers see the world, you can choose how their attitude affects you. You can either succumb to their negative energy and let it change your own outlook and confidence, or you can insulate yourself from it.

But what’s the best way to protect yourself from negativity in the workplace? In today’s inter-connected work environment, it’s impossible to completely avoid negative people. With that in mind, here’s a guide to help you minimize the effects of uncooperative and obstinate co-workers and employees.

1. Look confident. Even if you have doubts, don’t allow them to surface. Act and behave with self-assurance and don’t allow critics to push your buttons. This means not stooping to their level and engaging in pointless and detrimental arguments. This is especially true when you’re the boss. Remember, at the end of the day, you have final say, so if you truly believe that you’re taking the right course of action, don’t let anyone dissuade you.
2. Identify the sources of negativity in your workplace and set limits. If a co-worker or employee is constantly complaining and taking a “poor me” attitude, set clear boundaries. Limit the amount of time you spend talking about these complaints. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t address legitimate concerns, but rather that you shouldn’t occupy too much time in your busy schedule listening to complaints that are unavoidable.
3. Keep producing great results. If someone is constantly running down your ideas or achievements, doing a good job speaks for itself. Eventually their nitpicking will become apparent as just pettiness.
4. The most assertive and direct tactic would be to approach the critic calmly, and seek to find out exactly why they are so down on you and your work. If you approach them rationally, most people, when confronted with evidence of their own poor behavior, will be shamed into improving their attitude.

When going through this process, remember to use “I statements.” So instead of saying, “you're always so negative,” say something along the lines of “I feel that you're often negative about my work.” Keep your comments focused on you and how they've made you feel and what effect they've had on your work or general mood. The “you statements,” as accurate as they may be, will feel accusatory and thus cause the other person to go on the defensive. This will impede their ability to absorb what you're saying.

Remember that good things take time. Maybe the other person doesn't realize that they're being negative. If another person thinks you're the source of negativity, try to receive that with just as much of an open mind as you would want them to have if the situation were reversed.