
The Jordan Harbinger Show 706: Tessa West | How to Deal with Jerks at Work
Aug 2, 2022
Tessa West, a social psychology professor at NYU and author of "Jerks at Work", dives into the seven types of workplace jerks, including the micromanager and the gaslighter. She emphasizes the importance of conflict management skills for navigating toxic dynamics. The discussion reveals that these jerks often harm themselves too. Tessa shares tips on handling credit theft and ensuring your contributions are recognized. Furthermore, she highlights the need for building social connections to combat workplace challenges and avoid becoming a jerk yourself.
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Build Broad Networks
- Build broad social networks at work, including those outside your immediate team, to address workplace conflicts.
- A wider awareness of the problem makes it more likely for your boss to take action.
Approaching Your Boss
- When addressing a problem with your boss, focus on specific behaviors and their impact on the team.
- Avoid emotional language and editorializing; let the documented facts speak for themselves.
Hiring Practices
- To prevent hiring jerks, avoid generic interview questions and focus on specific past behaviors.
- This approach helps reveal potential red flags and provides more insightful responses from candidates.




