We’ve all met the Grinch from the famous Christmas story by Dr. Seuss, but this one other Grinch I’m sure you’ve met from a story that begins with your job.

Difficult to talk to and grumpy by nature, this Grinch is far from being isolated to Mount Crumpit, because he is part of your team and you’re bound to rely on him with work-related requests sooner or later.

In an effort to making our work environment healthier and our jobs easier, it’s important that we learn how to communicate with this type of employee. Time to grab the bull by the horns and look into how we can work with this person on a day-to-day basis:

If you’re dealing with a team member who’s always the first one to counteract your ideas when it comes to campaign brainstorming sessions or meetings, then you’re probably stuck with a

Campaign killer.

Regardless of how good your ideas might sound, don’t be surprised if this type of Grinch is going to give you thumbs down just for the fun of it. Naturally inclined to contradiction, the campaign-killer will look for every reason why your idea won’t work.

But there’s a good side to this story: if your ideas get past this Colleague, they’re most probably bullet-proof for clients or the audience you’re addressing them to.

Take the opportunity and make a list of “nasty questions” the Grinch would ask and build your ideas upon them. Try considering your co-worker’s point of view, analyze whether the issues brought up are relevant or not and give straight answers to them.

This will not just help you come up with better ideas and stronger argumentation, but it will also prove to your colleague that you’re not just pushing his questioning away, but confronting him with good reasoning and tact.

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The biggest problem with the office Grinch is that it’s usually someone you need to ask for help. So if you’re having issues with a colleague that’s never in a mood to give you a helping hand, the you’re dealing with the

Grumpy communicator.

This colleague is always busy and never in a mood to answer questions. Clearly this is a common sign of introversion, but not necessarily a sign that he doesn’t like people.

One way you can mend this broken conversation is by developing the habit of talking to him without necessarily asking for help. Engage in small talk and try to start a conversation outside work. Get to know who this person really is and ask questions about the things that he likes.

Maybe you’ll get to know a completely different person within and one you might actually connect with.

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If you happen to have meal breaks at the office cafeteria, then you might have already met the

Lonely luncher.

Always separated from the group, this type of co-worker is silently enjoying a meal while everyone keeps laughing on the other side of the table without him.

Sometimes people find it difficult to fit in groups, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t enjoy being in them. One efficient way of fixing this communication gap?

Be a team player and invite him to your table along with your other colleagues. Even if he is going to refuse you at first, don’t hesitate to reiterate the invitation, as long as you keep it casual and non-intrusive – it takes time for someone to adjust to new groups and pushing them too much might have the opposite outcome.

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Another type of Grinch you might encounter at your job is one that puts off everyone’s mood by being a

Party crasher.

You’ve seen this person saying no to almost every work-related event or initiative outside their job description. The one that’s never going to the office Christmas party or who can’t find time for social gatherings.

Getting this colleague to hang out and be a team player can be tough, but your goal is to bring him closer and create a more comfortable environment for him.

Sometimes, bringing a plus one can help set the right mood, so perhaps it’s time to get this option on the table for your colleague. You can also show him that he is important to the group and let him know that the team always has more fun when everyone is there.

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We’re all familiar with the story of the Grinch and how a simple act of kindness made him discover his potential and eventually help the people he wasn’t initially that fond of.

But maybe a simple act of kindness is all it takes to engage him in seeing the office spirit in a different light and one that will change the chemistry within your team.

Andreea Clair:

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My writing is penned to inspire those who are looking for that tailor-made message that brings in top talents, or simply for those who want a breath of fresh air in their personal and professional development.