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It’s normal to have a cranky day at work, but string together too many cranky days and you might start sounding like the Grinch. You’ve worked with a Grinch before—that employee who makes snide remarks, starts rumors, complains without end, or uses body language and other behaviors to display his or her misery. Most people think dealing with Grinches is just part of work, and don’t realize how damaging these depressing coworkers really are. An article on Inc.com discusses how ‘toxic’ coworkers push your brain into super-stress mode, which can literally damage your brain and severely impair your ability to perform well at work.
You’re likely to experience these common Grinch personalities at any job. Learn how to recognize them and quickly distance yourself before the drama gets out of hand.
Whether purposefully cruel or unintentionally dismal, a Grinch’s traits are tough to stifle and often, even tough to acknowledge. Oftentimes, we allow Grinches to run wild in our workplaces because their negativity is so overwhelming that no one has the heart or know-how to stop it. From personal observation, I have witnessed the following failure patterns in managers who just can’t take down a Grinch.
Lastly, as we learned from the loved children’s story How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, remember that even the most toxic team members usually have the capacity to change. With sincere coaching and clear, constructive, critical feedback you may be able to turn negativity into renewed positivity. If these methods don’t work, then it’s time to consider asking the Grinch to leave Whoville.
Erin Gloeckner is the former Director of Consulting Services at the Nonprofit Risk Management Center.
“First let me congratulate you on a conference well done. I had a great time at the Nonprofit Employee Benefits Conference and walked away with some valuable tools and questions that we’ll need to be addressing in both the short and long term. Thanks to you and your staff for all you do to provide us with quality resources in support of our missions.”
“BBYO’s engagement of the Center to conduct a risk assessment was one of the most valuable processes undertaken over the past five years. Numerous programmatic and procedural changes were recommended and have since been implemented. Additionally, dozens (literally) of insurance coverage gaps were identified that would never have been without the work of the Center. This assessment led to a broker bidding process that resulted in BBYO’s selection of a new broker that we have been extremely satisfied with. I unconditionally recommend the Center for their consultative services.
“Melanie Herman has provided expert, insightful, timely and well resourced information to our Executive Team and Board of Directors. Our corporation recently experienced massive growth through merger and the Board has been working to better integrate their expanded set of roles and responsibilities. Melanie presented at our Annual Board of Director’s Retreat and captured the interest of our Board members. As a result of her excellent presentation the Board has engaged in focused review which is having immediate effects on governance.”
“The Nonprofit Risk Management Center has been an outstanding partner for us. They are attentive to our needs, and work hard to successfully meet our requests for information. Being an Affiliate member gave us access to so many time- and money-saving resources that it easily paid for itself! Nonprofit Risk Management Center is truly a valued partner of The Community Foundation of Elkhart County and we are continuously able to optimize staff time with the support given by their team.”
“The board and staff of the Prince George’s Child Resource Center are extremely pleased with the results of the risk assessment conducted by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. A thorough scan revealed that while we are a well run organization, we had risks that we never imagined. We are grateful to know that we have now minimized our organizational risks and we recommend the Center to other nonprofits.”
Great American Insurance Group’s Specialty Human Services is committed to protecting those who improve your communities. The Center team has committed to delivering dynamic risk management solutions tailored to nonprofit organizations. These organizations have many and varied risk issues, hence the need for specialized coverage and expert knowledge for their protection. We’ve had Melanie speak on several occasions to employees and our agents. She is always on point and delivers such great value. Thank you for the terrific partnership and allowing our nonprofits to focus on their mission!