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Watch your back—your office pal may be trying to destroy your career.
If you’ve had a job, you know the type: a colleague who's friendly and helpful on the surface—but who's career poison.
These workplace “frenemies” come in many guises, so be alert to the dangers lurking beneath some warm or appealing demeanors. Many frenemies mean no harm, while others are bullies whose power plays must be checked, according to Donna Flagg, the author of “Surviving Dreaded Conversations: How to Talk Through Any Difficult Situation at Work.”
“Once they’re outed, they become more self-conscious of their behavior, and it's less likely they’ll do it again,” Flagg says.
To help you identify workplace frenemies, here’s a rundown of six common types—as well as solutions for dealing with them:
1. The Politician spends a lot of time trumpeting his or her accomplishments—and maybe some of yours—to superiors, according to Blaine Loomer, the author of “Corporate Bull****: A Survival Guide.” Make sure you don’t let his or her grandstanding upstage your contributions.
“The Politician will tell you one thing and tell the boss something else,” Loomer says. "They’re in the boss’s office every five minutes, declaring their indispensable worth.”
Solution: Keep your manager and colleagues in email chains, so your work is documented and the Politician can’t take all the credit. If people around you are blowing their own horns, you have to join the orchestra.
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