How to Deal With Jealous Co-Workers in Sales Professionals

Jealous co-workers can make you feel uncomfortable at work.

Being a corporate salesperson is a highly competitive career where you use your charm and showmanship to help procure a costumer. Unfortunately, your success can sometimes cause tension between you and your co-workers. This doesn't mean you should put a halt to your success, though. Careful maneuvering and a level head can help you navigate an uncomfortable work environment despite the people who surround you.

Instructions

1. Stop making note of your business accomplishments to your co-workers. If your co-workers constantly hear about your accomplishments at making tough sales and earning high bonuses, they are going to start feeling resentful towards you.

2. Talk with your supervisor about downplaying your success if you have a system that shows your co-workers your progress. For example, some sales professionals have a chart up that shows each employee's progress towards making a sales quota to help motivate other employees. Ask that your employer removes you from the chart or makes less of a production about your progress around other employees.

3. Keep documentation of any actions taken against you by jealous co-workers. For example, if you receive a curt and unpleasant email from a co-worker, save it to help build a harassment case.

4. Avoid contact with your jealous co-workers until they have time to calm down. This may feel contrary to your nature if you are a person who likes to sit down and sort things out, but it's for the best. Even friendly interaction where you attempt to offer help in salesmanship can come off as a condescending invitation, so just back off and wait out the storm.

5. Share your concerns with a superior you trust that has a neutral standpoint of the matter. Do not confide in a superior that has a personal relationship with some of your work adversaries. Provide him with evidence to support your fears and ask for his guidance.

6. Conduct your sales in a private place so you don't have to feel uncomfortable about doing business. This also prevents your jealous co-workers from interfering with your work. If they ask about the transaction, give aloof answers such as, "The consumer received the service she came for," or "It was business as usual."

7. Walk away from your jealous co-workers when they make you feel angry or sad. Don't speak to them again until you can control your emotions or you may say things you don't mean. Don't let your jealous co-workers goad you into making a split decision that could put your career at risk.

References

• Monster; How to Handle Jealousy on the Job; Heather Boerner
• "Women's Health"; Mean Girls in the Office; March 2010
• Joan Lloyd & Associates; How to Deal with a Jealous Job Sharing Partner; Joan Lloyd
• "Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal"; Carefully Confront Jealous Coworker to Avoid Even Bigger Problems; Joan Lloyd; July 2005

Resources

• Career Builder; Top 10 Reasons Why They Don't Like You at Work; Kate Lorenz; September 2007