They are what you are

Besides being unbelievably busy and tired, I have also been extreeeeeemly annoyed and stressed out.

If you recall (or if you've tuned in then), in one of those episodes in the previous season, I've been called into THE big boss' office because I "shouted" at one of my colleagues. Not guilty. But have been categorized as one who cannot resolve "conflict" nevertheless. Okaaaay... There wasn't any conflict, I disagree on that description, it was pure me-putting-someone-back-at-some one's-place scene. Anyways, I told myself that certain feelings are better not told leave alone shown in front of the boss. I vowed to look into my "art of managing colleagues" since that episode.

This season, there is a new character who, naturally just like in any drama, possesses higher, more advance skill in annoying and stressing others out. And of course this new character holds higher position in the company and has got the boss' trust lah. Yeah, same old same old plot. However, although I'm one of the main characters in the story, I still don't know why is this person in the story. I always believe that everything happen for a reason and in time, you will know why. And always trust that no matter how good or bad you feel about things, it's all for your good. Mantra - things happen for a good course. Will see.

Right. I have been really annoyed with this very rude (advance level), always criticizing (PhD), know-it-all (international accreditation), contradicting self (cancer final stage) and irritatingly loud (super out-of-tune-soprano) new colleague in the office. I think my short description of this person pretty much summarized why I was so annoyed.

But no matter what, referring to my vow of total devotion to The Fine Art of Managing Colleagues, I've tried to be as zen as possible. Today, one of my junior colleagues told me she'd learnt a lot from me during the pass few days... The story is this junior of mine has been stressed out (I can't be the only one right?) and was near in tears due to the way this Wicked Witch of The West spoke to her. Imaging a bullet of sentences which doesn't make sense, presented at an 8 octave higher note. Meanwhile, there is this nails-scratching-on-black-board noise interfering at the background. Urghhh... hair standing. Tell me whether that drives you up the wall or not.

So anyways, junior told me that she'd learnt not to raise her eye brow and make a faces in the meeting - yeah lor, I told her, whatever annoys her, or whatever (ridiculous remarks) that amuses you, just keep a straight face. Exchanging glances with your partner in crimes is okay but keep facial expression to the minimum. And please, DON'T be obvious lah!

She also learnt from me (why, I AM surprised) to put up an angelic smile along with an Oscar winning "customer is always right" act while delivering the Witch what she wants. BUT, before that, put her through some patronizing (but she has no proof, or better still doesn't realize that we are being patronizing) inquiries about the reasons of her requests. Let her contradict herself a bit while you deliver your most thoughtful "Ri.....ght" at the end (with a nod). Then a long pause.

The result so far - she agreed with most of my HUMBLE suggestions; she has softened when delivering her command just in case she cannot answer some of the queries from her, oh so confused colleagues; she has taken most of our remarks as jokes (to cover up our sarcasm, we made them into jokes); AND, she said today before she left "good by TTB". Wah!! Directed her farewell especially to me. ME! Geezz....

So, what have I learnt? That the reactions of our colleagues are most of the time directly linked to how we react to them. I borrow this - patience is virtue. If you are annoyed with someone, try to change your behaviour first. I mean, maybe just for fun, just to amuse yourself and see how it goes. When you do a 180 degree change in attitude, the chances are...

One, your colleague will think that you are such an angel, you finally pulled yourself together to become an extremely co-operative colleague. If so, you can do the "Mwah hahahaha" and think to yourself "I shall see"- I'll just wait to see if you can deliver any results after you got what you want, which are suppose to help you perform. Of course you can always do the "Be careful when you cross the road" but I think no need for that okay? We are civilized. Ahem...

Two, your colleague will think that you've gone crazy. They might avoid triggering your madness and just play along with your sudden change. You can still do the "Mwah hahahaha" in this scenario.

Seriously, maybe it's because I'm so very tired lately, I just think that job is but a job, no need to stress ourselves out because of some stupid colleagues. I will just put up the "I cannot be bothered" attitude now a days. When I don't bother about them, they don't bother me. I laugh, they laugh.

One thing I reminded my junior was her laughter - don't be so fake or overdo it please. Humph...