In the workplace, we may encounter colleagues who love to take small advantages. This requires wisdom and strategy to deal with them. Sometimes they may shirk work responsibilities, use others' resources without permission, or take credit for others' work.

When dealing with such relationships, we need to protect our own rights while avoiding interpersonal disputes. There are five effective strategies in normal situations:

Set Clear Boundaries to Block Inertia Behavior

When encountering colleagues who frequently borrow office supplies or ask for purchases without paying, you can use the "polite refusal method."

For example, when someone borrows a pen for the third time and doesn't return it, you can smile and say, "I use this pen every day. There is a convenience store downstairs. Do you need me to tell you the exact location?" By clarifying the ownership of the item, you can break their expectation of taking advantage.

Maintain a Professional Attitude and Establish Protective Processes

When facing colleagues who shirk work, you can use the "process confirmation method." When they try to shift tasks to you, immediately reply, "This task needs to be handled according to the department's process. Let's first check the division of labor with our supervisor." Also, copy your direct leader in the communication to leave a record.

Use Humor to Resolve and Avoid Direct Conflict

When encountering colleagues who are used to hitching rides or eating for free, you can use the "fun transfer method." For example, when asked to bring breakfast, you can smile and say, "How about we create a group on the food ordering app?" This way, you can convey the principle of equality without hurting the relationship.

Strengthen Institutional Constraints and Use Management Tools

When it comes to sensitive matters such as cost sharing and project division of labor, adhere to the "priority of system principle." After a group meal, immediately start a group payment. Before a project report, confirm the division of labor through email.

Enhance Core Value and Build Mutual Benefit Relationships

By becoming a key technical person in the department, you can make those who take small advantages realize the necessity of maintaining a good relationship. For example, when actively sharing research results, you can say, "This material is from a paid seminar I attended. If you have customer resources, we can exchange them."

You may encounter all kinds of people in the workplace, but remember that the essence of the workplace is value exchange. When personal value is prominent enough, the behavior of taking small advantages will naturally lose its space. As a workplace person, the ultimate goal is to build a healthy relationship that can protect oneself and not hinder team collaboration.