There are a few people who may take Shakespeare’s quote: “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players,” a little too literally, especially at work. While drama can be entertaining in the theater, it can cause distraction and distress in the workplace. Overly dramatic people can create dissatisfaction for everyone, slow work and impede a company’s success.
Now, we’re not talking about someone who faces a personal crisis such as a divorce or death in the family. In these situations, it is natural to experience difficulties at work. There are just some personalities, however, that thrive on continuing drama. No one Dramacool wants to work in a completely boring office and bland, uninteresting conversations with expressionless colleagues can make the eight hours drag on. The diversity, creative spark, unique style and clever wit of co-workers can be a welcome break from a stressful life. It also makes work fun. Sometimes, someone, however, takes it a little too far.
Tolerance for drama varies from workplace to workplace. A straight-laced accounting firm, with high profile clients, might encourage a more focused, calm environment. An advertising agency could be a place for more creative energy that welcomes a more emotional personality type. If the match is wrong, it can create an upsetting workplace for everyone.
How do you recognize a drama king/queen at work? (Is it you?). You may notice:
Ordinary problems or work projects become challenges of epic proportions or over-the-top emotional outbursts. A dramatic person may also draw caring co-workers into their complex personal situations. Some create dissatisfaction in work teams through encouraging alliances, gossip and dissention. Ultimately all these situations distract people from actually doing work.
How do you deal with a dramatic person and limit workplace drama?
· Know your workplace. If you are responsible for hiring, take the time to check references and ask about the job-seeker’s personality for the best fit. If you are a supervisor, deal with overly-dramatic behavior at its first sign. Make it clear that it cannot continue.
· No matter how tempting, avoid trigger subjects for a dramatic person (i.e. family, politics). You’re surely in for an entertaining story, but it contributes to encouraging this culture at work.