How do you respond to a condescending coworker?

One reason for defensiveness is hearing what others say as a personal attack or attaching your own meaning to what others are saying. Actively listen to the other person’s words....

By saying “you should…” someone is communicating superiority. When one person is communicating from a perceived position of superiority, the other person feels they are in a position of less...

Don’t feel like you must explain the entire situation to colleagues, especially if it’s something that’s personal. If you need time off, talk to your superiors and share as much...

Condescending behavior is a power play where the other person is trying to make you look small so they can look big.

It's important to try and be compassionate, even if you don't feel like someone is showing you compassion. In many situations, a coworker's negative reaction may have nothing to do...

You can take matters into your own hands and start problem solving. For example, if there is a desk available, try moving your workstation to it. You can also put...

Try to bring up their competitiveness in a positive conversation. A lot of times, people don't even realize when they're being competitive.

If a coworker is consistently pestering you, just ask them what's going on. Try to be compassionate and empathetic. They may just be trying to get to know you better....

It's not always easy, but try to have some compassion. People who are toxic have usually had many hurtful, challenging experiences in their life that made them that way.

See how much time he spends around you compared to other people. If he's spending a lot of his free time with you, there's a good chance that he's interested....