Competitive workplaces

I’m having a recurring problem getting along with the people I work with. I’ve been working in I.T. for over 10 years and I’ve met so many unfriendly and unhappy people. I would describe most of the work relationships I have built as competitive, sometimes unpleasant and even aggressive on occasion.

A good deal of the competitive behavior I’ve witnessed seems to be rooted in technical expertise, power struggles and one-upmanship. Although I’m no technical guru I’m hardly a dunce and I feel I can perform well in a team once I relax. I think it’s taking me too long for me to relax (5 months +) and I fear this is limiting my performance, as well as painting myself as a target for this type of ‘new guy’ harassment.

I’m starting a new job soon and I’m actually a bit afraid that I’m doomed to repeat the conflicts I’ve had in the past.

Have you had to overcome this sort of team integration problem, and how have you approached it?

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Answer #1

Yes, I’ve been there, and I know exactly what you’re talking about.

You know your job, right? You know what you’re doing, and what is expected of you. That’s all that should matter.

There will always be someone who is trying to outgun you, but at the end of the day, if you just do your job and do it well, you’ll be the one on the receiving end of all the other people who are tired of being shown up by a few snotty individuals.

Be friendly to the people you work with, but try not to let competitiveness interfere with the real reason you’re there - to do a job. Guaranteed your employer will appreciate it.

Competitive workplaces

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