From The Straits Times    |

Ever notice how some colleagues resemble certain animals in terms of personality and behaviour? It’s not just about the survival of the fittest – doing everything and anything to win  that project! – or territorial behaviour.

Recognise and handle these different types of behaviour at the office with expert advice from Singapore coach and mentor Denise Pang.

Learn to coexist peacefully with your colleagues and improve your teamwork capabilities. You can thrive in your work environment – without resorting to beastly behaviour.

Stressed out by a clash of personalities at work? Handle your
working relationships better with these tips. Image: Corbis.

YOUR PEERS

1. THE SLOW LORIS
She slows everyone else down and has no sense of urgency and often needs help to get the job done on time.

  • Give her some time. The loris may be slow because she first needs to grasp the situation.
  • Provide her the right incentive; this will encourage her to reach her goal. The loris’s perceptiveness and adaptability are essential to high-performing teams.

2. THE VENOMOUS SNAKE
She doesn’t think twice about sabotaging anyone to get into the boss’s good books. She’s toxic, spiteful, and she enjoys spreading malice.

It is hard to work with her because of the mistrust that her behaviour encourages; you feel like you need to constantly watch your back.

  • Understand her intent – to get promoted. Her venom is only harmful if you let it get under your skin.
  • Stay calm. When handled with respect and understanding, venomous snakes can help with treating life-threatening illnesses.

3. THE INQUISITIVE MEERKAT
She’s intrusive and annoying; she’s always asking you questions about everything. If you look sad, she wants to know why.

  • Learn to appreciate her concern. Meerkats are very social. They have strong maternal instincts, often endangering their own lives to provide for the young. Would you find her annoying if you knew she was just watching your back?

YOUR SUBORDINATES

4. THE TIMID MOUSE
She is meek and often looks frightened. She tiptoes gingerly into your office to ask a question. If you raise your voice even a little, she cowers in fear and clams up.
She lacks confidence and rarely voices her opinions.

  • Try to be more understanding. Imagine being preyed on by most species (bosses, friends, family), with little means of defence. With the right handling, mice can be playful, productive and adaptive.

5. THE LAZY SLOTH
She doesn’t do what she’s supposed to do. She misses deadlines, arrives late and leaves early, and wastes time during the day. You don’t want to treat her like a child, but you’ve had it with her work attitude.

  • Provide her more motivation to work well. Sloths are sluggish because their main food source (the work assignment) provides minimal nutrition (the motivation), resulting in a slow metabolic rate. Her attitude can improve with more interesting work.

6. THE NERVOUS RABBIT
She’s always jittery. When you talk to her, she finds it hard to focus. She panics when her workload gets stressful.

  • Be patient. Being picked up is not natural to a rabbit. Your actions can be similar to a bad experience (with a hawk of a boss). With patience, they can realise you mean them no harm.

YOUR BOSS

7. THE FIERCE LION
She instills terror with her menacing looks. She doesn’t talk; she growls. You’re afraid to approach her because of her volatile mood.

  • Be alert and resourceful. Lions are known to be king of the jungle. Having a lion in the office sharpens your instincts and increases your creativity – helpful skills for when you are a leader yourself.

8. THE HYPERACTIVE HAMSTER
She moves at a frantic pace, and expects the same from you. It’s never dull when she’s around, but her constant interruptions throw you off.

  • Be responsive to her hyperactivity, without overworking yourself out. Hamsters require a lot of activity to keep them occupied. They also stockpile large amounts of food (or in this case, work). Help her burn off excess energy by inviting her to join your yoga class or gym.

9. THE WATCHFUL CAT
She is the silent, observant type.
She watches you and knows your every move; she even sneaks up on people without warning.

  • Become more astute and alert to your surroundings. Cats are perceptive, curious and highly intelligent. Develop your own senses by following her eyes around the room – what does she see that you have not noticed yourself?

Denise Pang is a mentor and a ICF (International Coach Federation) professionally certified coach from Terrific Mentors. Terrific Mentors offers mentorship programmes for individuals and groups on business strategies, leadership skills and career-related relationships. Go to www.terrificmentors.com for more information on the coaching group.

This article was originally published in Simply Her magazine, December 2010.