How to Be a Better Coworker in the Time of the Coronavirus

This information is brought to you by our partners at Korn Ferry. COVID-19 has changed so many aspects of our daily lives—one of the ways being how we work. As a SoFi member, you can work one-on-one with an experienced career coach through Korn Ferry to identify what success and financial independence mean to you.

There’s nothing normal about working from home against the backdrop of a global pandemic. Between worrying about getting sick, being trapped inside the house , having the kids unexpectedly out of school, and watching the stock market go haywire, there are a myriad of stresses brought on by the coronavirus that can fray your nerves and cause you to lash out at your colleagues.

To be sure, getting along with coworkers can be tricky under the best of circumstances. It requires you to summon your patience, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness. But it’s worth the effort. According to one study , 70% of employees say having friends at work is the biggest indicator of an enjoyable work life, and nearly 60% of men say they would refuse a higher-paying job if it meant not getting along with their colleagues.

Here’s how to deal with coworkers in the time of coronavirus.

Drop your ego

None of us is in charge during this crisis, and none of us knows what’s going to happen next. While it may give you a sense of control to assume that you’re handling things better than everyone else, the truth is that we’re in uncharted territory. The best thing you can do is have some compassion for your colleagues—and yourself. If your colleagues seem to be struggling with productivity, offer a helpful push instead of an interrogation. If you can’t seem to get an assignment done, let go of your perfectionist tendencies and recognize that you’re only able to do so much. “Take a moment and say ‘Ok, I’m human too,’” says Sean Carney, career coach at Korn Ferry Advance.

Hit pause

When you’re upset by something a coworker says, you can’t react like a sprinter off the blocks. Pause between the stimulus and your reaction. Remember that the tone behind written communication can easily be misinterpreted. And even if your colleague is being a jerk, remember that everyone is on edge right now. Take a pause and count to ten—or twenty—before writing back. When you do decide to address something that’s bothering you, do it with care and tact.

Aim to make others feel better

“Early in my career, someone gave me some amazing advice: people should always feel better after they’ve spoken with you—even if it’s a difficult conversation,” says Gary Burnison, Korn Ferry CEO. How do you do that right now? Since anxiety spreads faster than the coronavirus itself, be the person bringing positivity to the conversation, not angst. Check in with your colleagues to see how they’re doing on a personal level, or how their families are handling all the changes. If you’re a manager, reassure your team that they’ll find out about new developments as soon as you do.

Don’t assume the worst

Your boss gives you a last-minute assignment late on a Friday and it needs to be done by midday Monday. Your coworker makes a decision without you on a project you’re both working on. Maybe they’re not really out to get you. During chaotic times, priorities shift and things escalate. Maybe the boss just got handed that assignment from on high and it’ll help the company stay relevant during the outbreak. Maybe your coworker just uncovered a problem while it’s still contained, before it becomes an even bigger issue. When in doubt, assume the better motive. You have to do the work anyway, so you might as well put a better spin on it.

Offer help—or a laugh

The coronavirus could be bringing burdens to your colleagues that they don’t share publicly. Maybe they’re a single parent balancing work and childcare all alone. Maybe they have a sick loved one. Ask people what you can do to support them, whether it’s delivering their point of view in a meeting they have to miss or taking a task off their plate. What help can you offer to get the job done—and do a good deed? Even a simple gesture, like retelling a funny story that happened in the office or sending around a lighthearted (but work appropriate) meme might help lighten the mood.

And if you’re the one who feels underwater, don’t be afraid to reach out. People want to help in a crisis, and when they do, it builds community.

Korn Ferry career coaching is free for SoFi members. Get started with SoFi career services today.

Learn More

---

This content is brought to you by our friends at Korn Ferry. That means all opinions expressed in this content are those of the author and not necessarily held by SoFi—and are for purely educational purposes only. Nothing you’re about to read here is intended to provide financial or legal advice.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners, and any pages linked to and from this one are subject to change without warning. While we obviously think very highly of Korn Ferry, SoFi does not provide, endorse, or guarantee any third-party product, service, information or recommendations. Korn Ferry is solely responsible for their products and services.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SOCO20032