When someone you work with annoys you, it’s tempting to avoid the person as much as possible. But this isn’t always feasible and often only makes the situation worse. You’re better off cultivating some empathy. How can you do that with a colleague who rubs you the wrong way? How can you foster curiosity instead of animosity?
How to Develop Empathy for Someone Who Annoys You
Try to understand the person’s perspective.
April 23, 2018
vincent tsui for hbr
Summary.
When someone you work with annoys you, it’s tempting to avoid the person as much as possible. But this often makes the situation worse. You’re better off fostering some empathy. Start by generating theories that might explain why your colleague says what he says, thinks what he thinks, and acts the way he acts. The goal here is to understand this person’s perspective. Next, find something in your colleague to care about. Perhaps you both have children the same age. Or maybe your colleague lives in a neighboring town. Use those connections to strike up a conversation and get to know him on a personal level.