Every company has them. You know the type: complainers, excuse peddlers, and hermits. They've worked here forever, seen and done it all, watched bosses come and go. They follow routine and resist change. In essence, they're killing time and collecting a check.
In business, they're called dead-enders. They arrive late and leave early—and no one dares challenge them. Forget facts and logic: They crave innuendo and conspiracies. They gossip, bellyache, play games, and create drama. As a result, they consume valuable time, energy, and morale.
Sadly, dead-enders are often clustered together, a clique feeding off one another's misery. Of course you didn't know this when you joined them. But your reality quickly becomes self-evident. When you step up, they view you as a threat: the person who creates more work or secretly acts as management's spy. But when you follow their lead, you're swept up in their rancor or entitlement.
Obviously, managers have the leverage to keep dead-enders in line. But what happens when you're on equal footing with them? What can you do when you're outnumbered and exposed? Consider these strategies:
Stay Focused
This department may be a good starting point, but it's not where you want to finish. Sure, their antics will tempt you to dash over to management or human resources. But remember: It's management's negligence that allowed the dead-enders' mentality to fester. They cemented it in the first place.
No, your sanity will come down to remembering the bigger picture. You obviously joined the department for a reason. Whether you're boosting your technical skills or exposing yourself to new markets, set timelines and benchmarks. Focus on what you need to learn and then move on.
You're no different from a distance runner, all alone, clicking off mile after mile. Like any runner, you should visualize your destination to help you endure the soreness, fatigue, and doubt. Your co-workers may annoy or sidetrack you, but it's your commitment, day after day, that ultimately makes or breaks you.
Watch Your Behavior
They're snarly or snarky, quick to point out everyone's faults. Unfortunately, attitudes like these can quickly rub off on anyone. To avoid slipping into naysayer mode, consciously focus on how you think, work, and act. Keep your guard up, knowing what you could become once your will is broken and discipline lost.
Character is often forged in trying times. A losing atmosphere can suck the life out of some. For others, it steels hunger and resolve. In this case, you can use these conditions to consciously master vital soft skills: composure (tuning out distractions), stress management (remaining upbeat), self-discipline (staying above the fray), and planning (executing a personal development strategy). As you climb the ladder, you'll inevitably encounter the same bullies, liars, blamers, and eunuchs. Preparing here just reduces your chance for error when the stakes rise later.
Be an Example
Let's take it a step further. Sure, you start by channeling everything inward. But self-reliance has limited value to others. And why blend in when you need to excel? No, you want to turn everything outward—all your passion and knowledge—to make a difference. And that means stepping up and becoming an example (and a target).
Start by reaching out personally. Be the person who brings homemade brownies or organizes potlucks. Learn about your peers' families and interests, always looking for what you have in common. Go out of your way to be nice and always nonjudgmental. At the same time, carefully measure what you say. Minimize what you reveal about your personal life: It can be used against you later. Don't make negative comments of your own; just change the topic, feign ignorance, or slip away. You'll only toss gas onto the fire when they drag you into their grievances.
Similarly, look at how you manage your time and your own persona. The walls have ears: Are you projecting a can-do vibe when you team up with clients or other departments. Your cube is likely part of the traffic flow.
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