How to Deal With Work Frenemies
- 1). Be careful who you trust. Frenemies have leverage over you by the information you provide, and certain information, particularly personal information, can be used against you in the wrong hands. Keep your relationships at work professional, no matter how friendly or informal the team.
- 2). Don't participate in office gossip or back-biting. Those frenemies that talk ill of other colleagues may very well do likewise to you, particularly if you have said something about upper-level management, if that works to their advantage.
- 3). Project confidence in your abilities. Frenemies attack where you are most vulnerable; do not give them a bulls-eye to target. Instead maintain a professional attitude and security in your own abilities to avoid giving them a foothold.
- 4). Confront the frenemy about any upsetting behavior by using less inflammatory language such as, "I feel," instead of, "you made me feel." This calls the frenemy out on the behavior in a professional way. Do this in person and privately immediately following the offense.
- 5). Take a pro-active approach to protecting your interests in the future. Make sure that all professional verbal communication between you and the frenemy has a paper trail. Reiterate any instructions or delegation of responsibility between the two of you in writing, such as an email, and keep files of this correspondence.
- 6). Rise above any petty behavior. Once you know who the frenemies are, protect your reputation as well as the interests of your company. Remain cordial to keep the peace, and continue to be a team player to support the frenemy despite any previous betrayals.
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