It is easy to get lost within one’s clique in the world of Digital Industry. Actions that make sense and seem normal within a group of highly motivated tech individuals do not always make sense for other departments in an organisation. Business faux pas can lead to poor impressions. Not correcting for behaviours that may push people away in the office can negatively impact business relationships. Here are some of the things that many people fall prey to when navigating a world of technology.

Taking everything personally

Do you remember a time when you received feedback on a project where you instantly became defensive because you thought that the feedback was a direct attack on you as a person? The reality of the matter is that most people do not intend their statements as criticisms of character. However, many people tend to view the feedback they receive as a direct attack on their character. These people react hostilely to feedback. This is not to say that good, constructive feedback should be ignored, but rather it is positive and healthy to let go of others’ opinion, good or bad, so relax. Don’t take everything personally.

Obsessing about negativity

A successful startup requires a constant atmosphere of positivity to stay motivated and productive. However, there is always that one person who lives in constant negativity and sucks up all the positive atmosphere around them into the black hole of despair growing in the back of their minds. These people do not see the positives in the things and people around them. Being constantly chained to negativity is an easy way to push people away. No one enjoys spending time with someone who only focuses on all the ways a project could go wrong or why an idea is unlikely to work. Instead, stay optimistic and positive. Try to see the good in all of your coworkers and approach things with a solution rather than focus on the negative. It leads to a more encouraging atmosphere for collaboration and teamwork.

Self-victimisation

Self-victimisation is when people consistently believe that they are a victim of the world and lack the ability to change where their life is heading. Dr James Neill from the University of Canberra describes this as an “External Locus of Control,” where one believes that their circumstances are due to factors outside of their  control. This is a defeatist attitude of thinking  that keeps people stuck where they are because they see themselves as victims of the world. The fact of the matter is that everyone has more control over their lives than they think they do. Things that seem out of control and hopeless now will not look that way eventually. Successful technological innovation happens when people take initiative and make things happen

Lacking compassion

It is much easier to find fault in people than it is to find praise. It is also too easy to focus on these faults, backstab someone or rip others apart, particularly with the anonymity of the Internet as a weapon. Criticising others is easy but showing empathy and compassion for others is hard. At the end of the day, people you work with are not all that different from each other; They have all been hired based on culture fit, expertise and skill. Being compassionate builds positive relationships in the office. Assume the best in others and they will respond in kind. This makes working on tight deadlines or heavy team/stakeholder projects more efficient and successful.

Needing constant validation from others

It is enjoyable to have others appreciate self-success and achievement. However, people who constantly seek this form of external validation are exhausting to be around. Some people get too obsessed with proving their worth through achievement. These people view everything as a competition where the goal is to beat a coworker or peer. A desperate need to prove success is off-putting and unnecessary. Being employee-of-the-month for 12 years straight is not what makes people like you. Rather it should be who you are as a person that endears you to others. Put away the boastful spiel of your accomplishments and be yourself.

Building positive relationships with the many people you meet in the tech world requires paying attention to how you portray yourself. In order to excel at both the work that you do and the office relationships you build, it is important to catch and stop these common attitudes that negatively impact the working relationships you will build with others.

What are some of the common things that gets on your nerves in a business environment? Why are they annoying and what would you suggest people to do to stop them?

Please share some of your experiences with us in the comments below.