When one person is really making me dislike work...

[PaperRemote]

Should I just snap out of it and ignore?

I work as part of a team of 35. We are in sub teams of 8-9 but the subteams are pretty artificial- we all do the same thing.

I joined 3 years ago. On joining, I did realise that one chap very much loved the sound of his own voice. Always speaking in team meetings even when nothing to say. Always having an opinion. We have a general discussion instant chat - he chips in with random often-unhelpful steers or when he gets it right, he repeats it.

It really annoys me. I find it boring and draining. I don't join in with team discussions as he's spoken for so long, I'm past it. Or I know he'll come back with a view on whatever I've said.

When seniors join the team meeting, he's first in with a question - just to get in there.

Is this the sort of thing one should suck up at work? Should I just inwardly roll my eyes and ignore? Or look for another job?

I've only had one other job before and had was very much individual silo working. I moved to be part of a team but wasn't expecting this!

If you like the role and everything else is fine you’ll just have to suck it up and inwardly roll your eyes! I’ve worked in large teams and very small teams and always have worked with someone like this whether it’s a slightly milder version or how you describe and it is extremely irritating. Sometimes I think people like that are covering up their own incompetence or insecurities.

You could always use a comeback ‘thanks John, I’ve already mentioned that’ or ‘thanks John, I’ve not finished speaking’ etc - keep it civil though.

Working in teams, particularly larger ones you won’t gel with everyone it’s just one of those unfortunate things! I’m sure you’re not the only person who thinks it about him.

No point in looking for another job for this reason, as you've described many work places I'm afraid.

I agree with the others: there's always one jerk who is a complete pain to work with, wherever you work. I guess you're lucky it's only one.

There’s always two. Luckily you have the obvious one identified, usually there’s an under the radar irritant as well. Sadly it’s just the joys of team working and you’ll get it in most workplaces.

Yeah There’s always one (or more sometimes). Once I asked to move desks because I sat near someone really draining. But she literally moaned ALL DAY LONG. And it was too much of a downer, especially on a Monday morning.

You get people like that everywhere. Welcome to the world!

I think you just need to tune him out. If it's any consolation, everyone else in your team will be rolling their eyes at him too. I've got one, I just smile and nod because EVERYONE knows what he's like. Don't let it get to you basically, if everything else about the job is ok.

Yeah this is something you just ignore and let wash over you.

It’s not like he’s actually mean or bullying you or anything like that - he’s just got an ego and is a bit annoying.

Quitting your job over one annoying person would be a bit mad.

Start having your own private bingo games for his catchwords and common phrases (I bet he has them) and make bets with yourself about how long he’s going to drone on for.

Depends. Do you like the job content and what you do? If yes, then focus on that solely and simply ignore this annoying chap -- at first it feels impossible but you can learn. You can even make a game of it, like, play bingo on what things he's most likely to say.

What you focus on, will grow. Meaning: if you focus on everything else but this guy, everything else will become more meaningful and he'll end up being an annoying fly somewhere in the periphery.

If you DON'T like your current job, start searching for a new one?

However, you'll always encounter people you won't like. Someone being annoying is heaps better than someone being actively incompetent, lazy, or a bully.

Ha, ha. Yes, in team meetings he's always DESPERATE to be the first to speak then says "You knew I'd have something to say" as if he's terribly self aware. Nope. Just boring and annoying and in love with his own voice!