Category: professional behavior

Have you ever worked with someone who was two-faced? You know, the kind of person who is all sweetness and light when the boss is around, but a real nightmare when they’re not? Well, these people are called hypocrites, and they can be found in every workplace. From the office gossip to the brown-noser, hypocrites come in all shapes and sizes. So how do you deal with them?

Well, first of all, it’s important to remember that not everyone is going to like you. And that’s okay. You don’t have to be best friends with everyone at work, but you should try to be professional. If someone is being a hypocrite, simply ignore them. Don’t engage in gossip or backstabbing yourself – that will only make you look bad. And if all else fails, talk to your boss about the situation. They may not be aware of what’s going on, and they’ll definitely want to know if there’s someone in the office who isn’t being team player.

There are four (4) things you can learn from the hypocrites at work. They are for you remain professional, use your own brain and not engage in group think, cover yourself with documentation (aka CYA) and how they can negatively impact company morale.

1. Remain Professional
If you’re working with a bunch of hypocrites, it can be tough to stay professional. After all, they’re the ones who are supposed to be setting the example! But no matter how difficult it may be, it’s important to remain polite and respectful. After all, you never know when you might need their help. Just remember: If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all!

2. Use Your Own Brain – Do Not Engage in Group Think
Hypocrites at work are in cliques. Do your best to avoid them. If you can’t avoid them, do your best to outshine them. Show them up with your work ethic and dedication. Let them know that you’re not going to put up with their crap. They might try to bring you down, but don’t let them. You’re better than that. And eventually, they’ll get bored of trying to bring you down and they’ll move on to someone else. So just keep doing your thing and don’t worry about the hypocrites. They’re not worth your time or energy because they participate in group-think activities. They either share similar opinions on things or share the narrative of the leader of the hypocrite group. Either way, focus your energy on getting your work done with excellence.

3. Cover Yourself with Documentation (aka CYA)
At some point in your career, you’re bound to run into a hypocrite. Maybe they’re the one who is always preaching about being honest but is the first to throw someone under the bus. Or maybe they’re the colleague who is quick to take credit for other people’s work. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to be prepared for these situations. After all, hypocrites can be dangerous to your career.

The best way to deal with a hypocrite at work is to have documentation to back up your claims. If you have emails or memos that prove you did the work, then you can use that as evidence. This way, when the hypocrite tries to sabotage you, you can show everyone what really happened. And if worst comes to worst and you do get caught in the crossfire, at least you know you did everything you could to defend yourself.

4. Hypocrites Negatively Impact Company Morale & Overall Culture
What ever happened to the golden rule? You know, the one that says treat others how you want to be treated? It seems like a lot of people in the workforce today have forgotten that age-old adage. Instead, they practice what I like to call the “do as I say, not as I do” method. These are the same people who are quick to point out when someone else makes a mistake, but turn a blind eye when they’re the ones in the wrong. They’re self-righteous and think they’re always right, even when they’re blatantly wrong. And worst of all, they’re hypocrites.

Unfortunately, hypocrites are everywhere, and they can have a negative impact on company morale and overall culture. Their actions (or lack thereof) can breed mistrust and resentment among employees. And when there’s no trust or respect, it’s hard to get anything done.

It can be tough to deal with hypocrites, especially when they’re in our own workplace. But there are ways to handle them that can minimize the damage they do and even help us learn a thing or two. If you need additional help dealing with hypocrites at work or want to share your workplace story with me, connect with me here. I’d love to hear your story and offer some advice to help you deal with those hypocrites without driving yourself crazy.

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