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Whether you like it or not, you are going to spend more time with the people you work with then you do your own family. Think about it, you are in the office for eight hours — five days a week. That’s some serious time! No one says you need to be super close buddies with everyone, but hopefully there is some mutual respect that will make your workplace environment a pill that’s easier to swallow. Eventually, you are going to bump heads with someone — even to the point of your name getting thrown in the dirt. If you are currently facing a situation like this, here are some tips on how to deal with a character assassination.
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Realize what it’s really about
At the end of the day, folks who are out to assassinate your character are typically the ones who are jealous of you, your growth, and your hustle. The question is whether or not you are going to entertain their jealousy, or keep it moving.
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Ask yourself if it’s true
Now is the time for you to keep it real with yourself. Is what you’re hearing around the office the truth about who you are and how you act? It’s hard for us to admit when we are wrong — making us oblivious to our shortcomings. Rather than brush off the gossip about you as false, make sure there is no truth to anything being said. If there is, work on correcting it to better yourself.
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Develop tough skin
At the end of the day haters are going to hate and folks will drum up their opinion about who you are. You aren’t going to fit in someone else’s vision of you — so why be consumed about what they think? Develop tough skin that can brush off the drama so you can focus on making moves in your career.
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Turn off the play-by-play reports
Someone is talking bad about me. I got it.
Why is there always one “office friend” who feels it’s important to take time out of their day to tell you who is talking smack about you? Do they get paid to care? Kindly tell these do-gooders — or folks who love to bask in your misery — that you are fine and don’t need an update every time a person has something bad to say. If you are known for being emotional you need to distance yourself from any triggers.
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Be direct
This in no way means you need to chop a person down to size. The main goal is to maintain your professionalism so you don’t feed into the person they are trying to paint you out to be. If you feel it’s necessary, ask to speak with the person talking about you in private so you can get to the bottom of the gossip. Try to stay away from wagging your finger at them. Hopefully you can come to some understanding that ends the unnecessary workplace drama.
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Shine brighter
If someone wants to create office gossip around you, let them. In fact, send them a thank you note as it puts the spotlight on you to shine brighter than anyone else at your job. Take the lead on projects, learn a new skill set, or try something new. Rather than let what folks have to say about you bring you down, let it be fuel to make you the best person you can be.
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Stop sharing your business!
Don’t tell any more of your co-workers about your personal life, unless you are absolutely certain you can trust them. Many times the very people we like to call friend are the ones who are defaming our name.
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Forget about retaliation
Do you like your job and need to pay your bills? Please keep it together and don’t retaliate. The last thing you need is to get caught up in some mess that gets you in trouble with management.
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Get management involved
This should really be a last resort, but is very effective if you feel your character assassination has gone too far. Keep a working file of the things you have specifically heard — even getting specifics from co-workers. If the person involved is spreading gossip to your customers then you really need your boss to sit them down. As much as we don’t want to work in a high school environment, sometimes we do. Don’t be afraid to send someone to the principal’s office!
