3 Types of Co-workers Becoming Extinct

Remember your colleague who threw a vase against the wall when no one agreed with his idea? Or the one who ducked out for a few hours every afternoon to go shopping?

They’ve probably changed their attitude—if they still have jobs.

I hear a lot of complaints about work, and while I used to hear a lot about drama-addicted, difficult or downright lazy colleagues, no one talks much about them anymore. Companies have gotten leaner, and while that might make it harder for job seekers, it’s also meant that outrageous behavior is less likely to be tolerated.

If you’re managing a team, that makes your job easier. And if you’re in the early stages of your career and you’re surrounded by managers who dish out Devil Wears Prada treatment of your colleagues, you’d better adopt a new playbook. IBM’s most recent biennial CEO study of leaders in 64 countries found that the top skills they see as necessary for employees’ success are now collaboration (75 percent), communication (67 percent) and creativity (61 percent). Noticeably absent: Skill at delivering imperious edicts.

3 Types of Workplace Personalities That No Longer Cut it

The Tantrum-thrower. These folks slam doors or storm out of meetings when they are not getting their way–or screech at their colleagues and then slam the door. Most often found in art departments and ad agencies, this type insists being creative means being disruptive–in a bad way.

Reason for extinction: Before the smartphone era, this really bad behavior could stay behind closed doors. Now any employee with digital device can record office histrionics and share them on Facebook and Twitter. And many workplaces are open spaces that don’t even have doors. There’s too much risk to the company’s reputation to keep explosive types on board. Meanwhile, it’s easier for folks with anger-management problems to get help.

The Showboater.  Despite doing very little work, these colleagues held on to high-paying, private sector jobs solely by grandstanding in meetings and politicking over long lunches with the company’s power brokers.

Reason for extinction: With more companies turning to software to track every aspect of workers’ performance and measure how well they’re helping the company meet “Key Performance Indicators,” bluster alone won’t earn anyone a paycheck for long. And with many professionals now doing the job of two or three people, they’re not likely to keep quiet about a colleague who’s got a sinecure.

The Commander. This domineering manager is all about hierarchy and control. If you’re an entry-level employee, don’t expect this boss to know your name. And forget about quick promotions, no matter what you’ve accomplished. It took the Commander 20 years to move up through the ranks. These bosses aren’t quite gone from the workplace, but their numbers have been thinning.

Reason for extinction: Some of the junior employees may know more than the Commander about areas like technology. Failing to tap the knowledge of everyone on the team or to recognize their contributions by helping them advance leaves the Commander with few allies when charging into battle.