TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- In an effort to promote positive professional office relationships across Tinker Air Force Base, the Community Support Office organized the “Working With You is Draining Me” talk Nov. 7 at the Tinker Club.
At the event, motivational speaker Rosanne Collens spoke to Airmen and civilians about working better with difficult coworkers.
Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Taylor, Community Support Office non-commissioned officer in charge, said he worked with Kimberly Moses from the Equal Opportunity Office to organize the event to equip individuals to connect better with their leadership and coworkers.
“This would be an opportunity for them to find out ‘how can I be a better teammate, a better wingman,’ and find out the best way to have a professional working relationship with people, even though (they) might not agree,” Taylor said.
In the talk, Collens focused on causes of frustration and the difference between “faucets,” people who pour into a situation and improve it, and “drains,” people who make situations worse.
“When we’re around people who are a lot like us it (is exciting), but then when you’re around someone who’s draining you, it can just totally change your whole entire outlook (for the worse),” Collens said.
She said since most people spend more time at work than with family, it is important to be able to make the best of a situation when working with a coworker who drains you.
Additionally, Collens talked about the difference between “existing” at work and waiting for the next permanent change of station and thriving, and doing your best work.
“Healthy relationships can also propel you to heights of achievement. So even if you’re not necessarily having difficulties with people, by helping others in your workplace, that can help propel you,” Collens said.
Collens discussed methods she uses to make frustrating work situations better, such as playing an upbeat song like ‘Walking on Sunshine’ in her head as she walks into work or meetings to motivate herself.
She explained different personality types and how they work differently to achieve the same goal.
“I really want you to decide to learn about the other personality types, because I really think that will give you great success,” Collens said.
She encouraged attendees to view situations through different lenses, illustrating with a pair of glasses with pineapples around the lenses and another pair with a poop emoji on top.
Collens said handling draining coworkers well takes time, emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility for making it better.
“Dealing with people who drain us takes work. Think of how much time we spend with coworkers and how much we move around in the military,” Collens said.
“It’s going to start to work and then, next thing you know, we move and the whole thing starts over again. That’s why, really and truly, the power is in you.”