Colleagues during a break (photo/ jobvine.co.ke)
Many people lost their jobs in 2017 for weird reasons. Choosing topics you talk to colleagues at your office can be a nightmare. Most of people have hard difficulties finding just the right words to use when striking out networking conversations at their office. Sometimes they end up being too talkative or annoying to their co-workers. However, to stay clear and safe at your place of work, here are topics to avoid:
Gossip about colleagues Gossiping about colleagues is not professional at all. Take care because the things you tell co-workers about others are same things they will talk about you in your absences. Gossips about colleagues could lead them being fired, demotion or even painting their name negatively to the rest of colleagues.
Personal issues Personal problems are not to be shared at your place of work at any time. When you present your personal issues to someone who could have helped you gain a promotion, this will give them an impression that you are unhappy at the organization or prone to complaining which isn’t going to help your cause. Avoid laying your grievances to colleagues whom you should be sharing with work related matters.
Polarizing views about politics, race or religion
Strong view or opinions about sensitive topics like politics, race and religion should never be discussed at place of work. Take keen note as different people have different views on such strong topics. Your opinions could kill further conversation and maybe further relations with a colleague, who could have been an ally or professional friend.
Habits that imply a problem Some discussion could lead to unusual habits. When talking to a colleague avoid discussions that could lead you two to indulging in unusual habits at place of work. For instance, you cannot start talking to a colleague on how you love drinking or smoking. These could lead both or you start smoking and drinking at work.
Lies that aim to impress Lies are forever short-lived. If you lie, expect to be caught up some day. Lying at place of work could come back to haunt you some day. You should never tell a lie for the sake of impressing a co-worker. Talking lies to colleagues could cost your trust to them. More so, these could be the reason you will be fired as your boss will never want to have someone they cannot trust in their organization.