Raavan
How to spot: Generally occupying the managerial chair, the Office Raavan also goes by the title of Office Hitler or Office Don. He is stingy with information, moody to the core and yells at everyone he finds.
The good: Its difficult to find a saving grace with this species, unless you count the moments of relief on days they dont come in to work.
The bad: They will hold out perks, information and promotions until their needs are met. A skewed sense of superiority that stems from a huge inferiority complex could be the issue. But you dont want to tell them that.
How to deal with them: You need to keep a human face while dealing with the Office Raavan. Acknowledge their power, but appeal to their human side.
The Work shirker
How to spot: Their mood varies by weather, but their work ethic remains the same they hate it. They are often seen in a supervisors position, having attained it after spending at least 10 years in the organisation. The subordinates are always burning the candle at both ends for the thankless job they are doing after all, the shirker is the one taking credit for the good job.
The good: Dont confuse their laziness for inability. They may look morose, but they do show up every day.
The bad: The work shirker loves doing everything during office hours, apart from actual work. This includes long phone conversations, five-course lunches, grocery shopping and make-up.
How to deal with them: Strike while the iron is hot; get as much work done with the office shirker on the few good days they forget their lethargy. You dont want to know the reasons behind their moodiness, so dont ask.
The Vamp
How to spot: She is the saucy one, everyone keeps an eye out for. The moment a fresher joins, she is on high alert. The office equivalent of your schools class bully, her ragging is more subtle, but harmful nonetheless. If bad news is getting around, she will hear it first and enjoy breaking it.
The good: She may be hot headed, but her outrageous clothes are often a sight for sore eyes.
The bad: She causes a general lowering of morale and a reluctance to initiate constructive dialogue with the enemy, which includes everyone at a higher designation than hers.
How to deal with them: You will remain out of reach of her deadly talons as long as you stay out. Forget about trying to change her opinion, concentrate on forming your own.
The Geek
How to spot: The Office Geek is the one who is always surfing the Internet, if he/she is not fidgeting with the computer or showing off his latest gadget. The sites they surf are usually techie; office geeks are enamoured by technology and all things digital, says Heather.
The good: If there is a problem with the computer, he is there to sort it out in no time. Geeks are ahead of the game; they come up with information about great websites.
The bad: They are so plugged into the digital world the real world seems superficial. So, a financial urgency, important presentation or report submission are forgotten in hours of endless surfing. Their biggest problem is the distraction that their technological obsession becomes to work.
How to deal with them: Firewall the gaming sites and other media applications make sure they dont hack through if you feel they are wasting precious office hours in technological pursuits. Geeks are usually nice people to be around, as long as they dont embark on a soliloquy on the merits of the XBOX 360 versus the Playstation 2.
4 more personalities that dominate the work place
1. The Mouse
See that person scurrying down the hall, head bent down and eyes furtive, in clothes drab enough to give a funeral attendee a complex? Thats the Office Mouse.
The good: They are the hardest and often fastest workers. They never utter a word in complaint, not even when they are overlooked during an appraisal.
The bad : They dont like taking credit for anything, and are complete introverts. So, when the Office Mouse is putting in a resignation, there is a hue and cry because work will come to a standstill.
How to deal: Their boisterous dual personality comes to the fore when they are drunk, says Heather. The best way to deal with them is to let them be.
2. The OFFICE GOSSIP
They know everything that will happen at the organisation, from who is quitting to who is having a baby, says Heather. They are rarely in a managerial position, but will often happen to pass by the conference room and accidentally overhear private conversations.
The good: Most office gossips are lively, love networking and seem to know everyone in office, says Heather, who would rather have a loudmouth working with her, than someone who clams up while making conversation.
The bad: They can be malicious.
How to deal: Dont deal with them. Once you have identified the person, avoid discussing anything remotely confidential near them.
3. The JOKER
This one is the life of the office who makes you smile after 11 hours of slogging it out, or jump with joy with their outrageous sense of humour. The downside is that the joker believes the universe exists only for his amusement. This is because they are always seeking attention. Most Office Jokers are people who have grown up constantly being told to shut up by elders, says Heather.
4. The KNOW ALL
A bloated ego and twisted sense of self aside, the know-all find pleasure in telling the whole office what their colleagues already know. They will give an opinion without asking for it, and their unheeded advice comes free and in abundance.
