155: How to Work with People You Don’t Like or Respect | Feedback Friday

Difficult Colleagues

Navigating the workplace with difficult colleagues requires a strategic approach to maintain professionalism and personal growth. Jordan Harbinger shares his experience working with incompetent colleagues, emphasizing the importance of focusing on personal development rather than getting caught up in office politics 1. He suggests that while it may be tempting to avoid contributing to projects that benefit such colleagues, the real value lies in the skills and experience gained from the work itself 1. Jason DeFillippo2.

Even in the moment I just thought, "Screw it. I'm getting what I need from this experience."

--- Jordan Harbinger

Ultimately, the focus should be on personal growth and the positive outcomes of one's efforts, despite the presence of challenging colleagues.

   

Engaging Contacts

Re-engaging with old professional contacts can open doors to new opportunities, but it requires a thoughtful approach. Jason DeFillippo discusses the importance of identifying mutual benefits before reaching out, as simply asking for a meeting might not be enough to capture someone's interest 3. Jordan Harbinger advises that when reconnecting, it's crucial to offer something of value to the other person, especially if they have a busy schedule 3.

You have to make sure that you're in that category. So I understand why he didn't respond.

--- Jordan Harbinger

By understanding the needs and interests of your contacts, you can create more meaningful and productive interactions.