The phone rings. Yep. Here we go. It's Monday -- it's Wednesday -- it's Friday. It doesn't matter.
She tells you she's a mess. She's having a meltdown. It's just awful. You won't believe what happened. She's totally drained. She was up most of the night. She overslept. She'll be in later.
Sound familiar? There's nothing like a fresh blast of drama to get your day off to a rousing start!
Drama. We all have it. Some more than others. But, for the co-worker who's into high drama -- to the rest of us -- it seems like it never ends. Every single day. It's always something. Everyday events are more serious, more important, and more critical than anyone else's. You just don't understand.
But, really now -- how much drama can one person have? There are only twenty four hours in a day. Most of us break that down into three parts -- you work for eight hours, you have your other life for eight hours, and sleep for eight more. Devotion to drama development takes time. Where do they find the time to hone those skills?
Maybe they learn this by watching TV. A person can watch a lot of TV during the eight hours of non-work and non-sleep. A favorite program of people who are into drama? If I were guessing, I'd say The Real Housewives of Wherever. Those "real life" characters are into hollering and screaming about the most mundane things. You'd think they were extraordinary -- but they aren't. How do those housewives get into such messes? Who actually lives like that? It's drama to the nth degree -- and it's a great way to learn how to be dramatic.
Are you tired of the drama queens and kings in your workplace? Need a few coping mechanisms?
Try these three:
(1) Retreat -- Those who are into office drama need a stage and a spotlight. They're the star. You are not. They want your attention. When the drama queen (or king) starts to tell you their story -- stop them in their tracks. Suggest that you go to a different area -- away from prying eyes and ears -- so you can really listen closely to all the particulars. But now, you tell them, is not a good time. Announce you have to go to the bathroom. Get up. Go to the bathroom. Take your time. By removing yourself from the area, you just turned off the electricity to their spotlight.
(2) Respond -- If you find yourself in a situation when you have no escape route, remember that the drama king or queen is telling you their story in order to seek your approval. They're trying very hard to impress you. Be careful. They don't like criticism. They don't want you to solve their problems. Listen to their story. Nod occasionally. When you think they're finished, here's an impressive response: Just say, "Wow, that's...interesting." Say no more. The drama queen/king has nowhere to go with that response. It means nothing -- they don't know that -- but you do.
(3) Resist -- It takes two people to have a conversation. It also takes two people to have a disagreement. Drama kings and drama queens don't like rejection. You, on the other hand, can quickly learn how to become emotionally detached which will result in rejecting their behavior. Just sit there. Just stand there. Do nothing. Do not respond. Breathe slowly. Stay absolutely still. Pretend you're a statue. Say nothing. That's it. Eventually, they'll give up.
Everyone has problems of one sort of another but most of us just aren't into high drama. Frankly, no one really cares about your major dramas. We're all too busy dealing with our own.
Got some high maintenance, high drama co-workers? How do you deal with them?
