Don't mess with the office vibe.

Today I have a story about a time when I was a horrible, negative coworker. Things weren’t going the way I thought they would when I accepted the job, and I complained constantly. If you've ever had a coworker like that you know how annoying that can get in a very short time.

And it’s a story about a coworker that I really loved and respected. He was younger than me and worked in the capacity of the office’s massage therapist. He was also a certified yoga teacher {cool} and I loved his laid back, easy going personality. His sense of humor and kind demeanor made him the type of coworker everyone would wish for.

One day I was having a particularly tough time dealing with my perceived let-downs when my coworker did the unthinkable: he called me out on my attitude. He told me straight up that if I didn’t like working there I should just find another place to work because I was really messing with “the vibe of the office.”

Ouch.

And it was a big ouch because I knew as soon as the words left his mouth and hit my ears that he was absolutely, positively, 100% right. I had become that coworker and I felt so embarrassed and ashamed of myself in that moment. I remember going to the back of the office where I had a serious cry. His words were humiliating, but I knew he spoke the truth. And I knew I had to own it.

I did my best to turn my attitude around, and not long after that my awesome coworker left his employment at the office where we worked. I ended up staying for another couple of years before moving on to grass that I thought was greener. And even though things didn't work out as originally planned in that job, I learned more about myself during my tenure than any other place I've ever worked. The lessons, both personally and professionally, are some of the most important and meaningful of my entire working career.

A couple of months ago I shared this quote on my blog: “Treasure the friend who tells you a harsh truth, wanting ten times more to tell you a loving lie." ~ Robert Brault

Even though it was tough to hear, the words my coworker spoke that day were probably some of the most powerful words ever spoken to me. At the time I hated it, but in hindsight I realize what a gift it was. His blunt honesty helped me to become a different coworker and employee – even today.

For real, if you don’t like it do something else.
And dude, don’t mess with the office vibe.
♥