A colleague recently asked me to contribute to their project, and while I was pleased to get the invitation, the communication felt abrupt and left me with a bad feeling. Their directions were along the lines of, “make sure you do this, this, and this” and “make sure you don’t do this, this, and this.”
Are They Mad at Me…or Are They Just Blunt?
Five tips for working with a colleague who doesn’t mince words.
January 06, 2021
David Madison/Getty Images
Summary.
It’s normal for people to have different communication styles, but working with someone who lacks warmth or tends to be blunt can spark feelings of anxiety. Instead of spending time and energy worrying about what a colleague’s abrupt communication says about you, try out a few strategies that might improve your collaboration. First, understand what makes you uneasy and remember not to take it personally. Then try to gauge whether or not they’re willing and able to adjust how they communicate with you. Keep in mind that you have to be willing to compromise, too, and that you should resist the urge to gossip. These techniques can prevent you from distancing yourself from a colleague who has other important strengths.