Tame the Primitive Brain: 28 Ways in 28 Days to Manage the Most Impulsive Behaviors at Work

Day 11

Enemies

The People You Hate

You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.

—Winston Churchill

Today you’ll tame:

• The people at work you JUST CAN’T STAND!

“So, what do you think of Pascal?” inquires the head of marketing after the team interview with him.

I am just about to blurt out, “What an insufferable and talentless #$%-clown!” when I am halted by the group who, as one voice, sings his praises as “far and away the best fit for the job.”

Yes, sure, his résumé is great, and he fits in well culturally with the organization. But he rubs me the wrong way. Unfortunately, nobody else here seems to feel that way!

What am I going to do when Pascal gets hired (since that, for sure, is going to happen)? Working with him will be like working in my worst nightmare. He’s a total jerk. To make matters worse, he’s going to be assigned the desk next to mine. I won’t even be able to avoid him!

I can’t help myself. I just know it’s going to be all-out war with someone who’s supposed to be my coworker.

It manifests in many forms: aversion, detestation, disgust, dislike, loathing, repulsion, and revulsion. All these feelings are bound up into what we call hate.

Racism, sexism, ageism, and any and all other forms of prejudice are ways we bundle those we hate into neat packages. Why do we instinctively, or traditionally, take a strong dislike to certain people? And when we do, how is it possible to work in harmony with them?

Who Goes There?