Q&A for How to Survive Office Politics

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  • Question
    What should I do if a coworker is loud and distracting?
    Julia Yacoob, PhD
    Clinical Psychologist
    Dr. Julia Yacoob is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist practicing in New York City. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for adults coping with a variety of symptoms and life stressors. Dr. Yacoob earned an MS and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University, and pursued specialized training at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Institute for Behavior Therapy, and Bellevue Hospital Cancer Center. Dr. Yacoob is a member of the American Psychological Association, Women’s Mental Health Consortium, NYC Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Association, and Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies.
    Clinical Psychologist
    Expert Answer
    Assert yourself and tell your coworker that you are finding it distracting. Shift to another part of the office or use headphones. Make calls in a conference room. Have a different work schedule from that coworker. If things become difficult, talk to your manager about it.
  • Question
    What can I do to vent out my feelings?
    Julia Yacoob, PhD
    Clinical Psychologist
    Dr. Julia Yacoob is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist practicing in New York City. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for adults coping with a variety of symptoms and life stressors. Dr. Yacoob earned an MS and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University, and pursued specialized training at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Institute for Behavior Therapy, and Bellevue Hospital Cancer Center. Dr. Yacoob is a member of the American Psychological Association, Women’s Mental Health Consortium, NYC Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Association, and Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies.
    Clinical Psychologist
    Expert Answer
    You can talk to your friend, spouse, or therapist about what is bothering you. You will feel better after you vent out your feelings.
  • Question
    How do I handle a calm and cunning person?
    Community Answer
    Everyone has a weak point. Reaching out to this will help you handle this calm and cunning person. Secondly, befriending this person and observing from the outside will help in understanding his/her state of mind. Just remember, snakes can be hunted if you know how to put them on a loop.
  • Question
    How do I survive office politics if two coworkers corner me?
    Community Answer
    Ignore them, show them you do not care at all. Concentrate at work. Pick your battles wisely with these types of people. If people start to corner you, it may be because you are excelling at your job and because of envy. Your well-being is the most important thing at all times and probably what makes them more upset is to see that they have no effect on you (outwardly at least). Talk to your supervisor if you don't think you can manage this alone though.
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