Seven Topics to Avoid at
the Office
All material on Your
Office Coach is copyrighted to Marie G. McIntyre. All rights reserved.
May be reproduced
with copyright and attribution to
www.yourofficecoach.com.
Career success involves
managing the image that you present at work. To be viewed in a
professional light, you must give some thought to the way you are
perceived. Here are seven topics that you would be smart to avoid.
§
Using coworkers as therapists.
Even friendly
colleagues get tired of listening to romantic troubles or the details of
a nasty divorce. If your personal problems are broadcast over the
office grapevine, it could have a negative affect on your future.
§
Dangerous flirting.
Many people
find love at the office, but a flirtation with your boss or married
colleague is a surefire recipe for trouble. Ditto for quickie romantic
encounters at the office party or on a business trip, because those
partners will still be in a nearby cubicle on Monday.
§
Complaining about your boss.
If you make
negative feelings about your boss widely known, the news will get back
to him or her eventually, making your boss situation even worse. And
you may get labeled by management as “difficult to work with”.
§
Spreading harmful rumors.
Gossip is
almost addictive and hard to avoid, but spreading negative information
about colleagues can create much trouble and resentment. Any
information that might damage another person should never be repeated.
§
Open political plotting.
Almost
everyone gives some thought to political strategy at work. But open
political plotting is counterproductive. If you’re going to play
politics, at least do it well! Keep plans and strategies to yourself.
§
Bringing up loaded topics.
Unless you
know that the other person shares your views, avoid topics like religion
and politics. Although spirited debates can be fun, these differences
often lead to heated arguments that damage relationships.
§
“Too
much information”.
No one needs
to hear details of your abdominal surgery, your bout with nausea, your
sexual positions, or your Spandex briefs. Never share information that
would conjure up an unprofessional image of yourself.
Copyright Marie G.
McIntyre. All rights reserved. May be reproduced with copyright and
attribution to
www.yourofficecoach.com .
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