The Insecurity Threat

Get Your Own Feet Wet not Mine!

It is human nature to be competitive. It is also normal to want to contribute in conversations to feel like part of the group. However there is a balance to strike between offering input and showing the insecurity of feeling threatened to keep a job. 

Here's how you can spot a co-worker's insecurities:  

1). There is a need to provide an opinion on every topic discussed even if a decision was already made.  Just the perceived agreement on the decision makes this individual believe he/she is contributing and is intelligent. 

What to Do: Placate the ego by asking his/her opinion before announcing the decision that was already made. 

2). Insecure individuals attempt to listen and interrupt other people's conversations.  Their comfort level decreases when they are not involved in discussions. Because they feel left out, they sometimes start complaining to management and making accusations that people are not collaborating. 

What to do:  Set up separate meetings or have discussions on topics away from these individuals. Include them only on status reports or invitations to complete tasks.

3). Problems are created or exacerbated to provide an opportunity to either take action or correction or stir chaos to remove scrutiny away from them. Insecure people normally keep drama around them to limit the likelihood of people discovering their ineptitude. 

What to Do:  Protect yourself at all times. Document everything and provide weekly input to management and subordinates about your work and completed assignments.

Insecurities are challenging in the work environment but if you can spot people with them and learn how to make a day in the office comfortable for you, the insecurity threat factor will be calmed. 

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For more guidance on discernment in staying on top and avoiding people like this in your quest for a promotion, remain in leadership, or start your own business, download the ebook, Get A Clue - 10 Steps to an Executive IQ today.
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