Drama Firewall President's Post

Unless you work alone, in a hut on a mountaintop, you are exposed to drama. Two co-workers have differing opinions on procedures, and each wants you to solve the deadlock. One co-worker feels slighted by another's comments or actions and wants to vent to you, or worse, draw you into the fight. Co-workers, or even supervisors, have ulterior motives, or political agendas which influence what they do and want you on their side. Drama, drama, drama.

While it is tough to avoid being drawn into these conflicts, it can be a career suicide to jump in with both feet. A better personal policy is to try to remain Switzerland. Just stay neutral.

Gossip? Don't play this game. Don't begin to spread it. Gossip hurts people and one of those casualties could be you.

Is there controversy at work? Stay out of it. Your opinion will probably not change anyone's mind and you'll retain respect by all if you just remain neutral.

Need company? Have a strong opinion which may end up being drama quicksand and suck you right into the middle of a dirty, nasty mudhole? Go home and tell your dog. Call your mother. Or take a long jog to work off the steam. Just don't spread it around at the work, looking for a confidant and partner in your need to be right. Don't leave the Switzerland boundaries, or the drama will get you.

The bottom line is, when drama is looking for a victim, you want to be armed with you Drama-Firewall, protected by neutrality. Keep busy, with your mind on your patients, and your neutrality firmly in tact. It's way safer in Switzerland.

-Karen