How to Deal with the Office Drama Queen

Wondering how to deal with the office drama queen? You know her, she's the gal who contacts the president of the company over petty grievances; always starts an argument with the newest employee; and, continues to snoop on the boss. Eventually, the powers that be will get tired of her. But, until then, here's how to handle her presence. Do:

1. Stay positive.
Don't allow what you hear (or see) poison you. Remember why you're at work. You have a family to take care of, bills to pay and a retirement nest egg to build. What your fellow peers do should not affect any of these goals.

2. Ignore gossip.
Deal with the office drama queen by turning a deaf ear to her gossip. Women with this type of personality often stretch the truth to prove a point or influence another person. For this reason, you have to be wary of the stories she tells. Most of them are probably mixed bag of lies.

3. Wait to respond.
Never act quickly off of the accusations or threats of a drama queen. Be still for a while and let the dust settle. Usually, after a day or two, she will calm down. It's during this time you have a chance to speak again and determine what she truly wants. You might be surprised how her expectations are suddenly different.

4. Keep good records.
If your job is under attack by a drama queen, start a paper trail. Save e-mails, agreements and notes on projects. You may need this information in order to save yourself from being fired because of an overblown event.

5. Set clear boundaries.
Right after the office drama queen acts inappropriately, check her. Tell her verbally and in writing why you didn't appreciate her actions. As a result, she knows immediately to stop her behavior. Being proactive will squelch some of her foolishness.

6. Remain at peace.
If you happen to manage or sit near a drama queen, don't let the anticipation of an overreaction make you fret. Trust your humanity. Throughout the centuries, men and women have been putting up with a variety of difficult situations. So, remain calm and do your work.

Use these six suggestions to deal with the office drama queen and hold onto your sanity. Remember, if all else fails, you can delight in the fact you are not her. You don't wake up daily with the intentions of starting trouble. You're okay with you and everyone else.

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