From Judgement to Understanding: Lessons from a Coworker’s Work Style

I recently had a conversation with a coworker who sits next to me. Through daily interactions and observing her work, I’ve struggled to see her as a role model or mentor due to her seemingly inefficient ways of handling tasks. However, these interactions have also pushed me to reflect on my own journey at this company. Watching her work has made me question whether this environment truly offers opportunities for my personal and professional growth.

To be clear, my intention is not to criticize her but to share my perspective. In an era where workplaces are increasingly technology-driven, she remains deeply rooted in traditional methods. For example, she prints every document and verifies data manually, which takes up a significant amount of time. I often see her sorting through piles of paper, a process that appears far less efficient than using digital tools. Additionally, she relies heavily on phone calls for communication, regardless of the importance of the matter. In contrast, I prefer written communication like emails or online messages, as they allow me to document everything clearly. For me, maintaining records is crucial, as they help in tracking progress, resolving misunderstandings, and providing evidence when disputes arise.

Despite my initial doubts, I’ve recently started to notice her strengths, which have given me a new perspective. She excels at negotiating prices with both suppliers and clients, often spotting opportunities to introduce cost-saving measures. Her frequent calls, while unconventional in today’s workplace, have helped her develop exceptional communication skills. She’s eloquent, persuasive, and confident in managing negotiations, securing favorable outcomes that benefit the company. This is a skill I’ve realized I need to improve, and her ability to navigate these situations has shown me the value of sharpening my interpersonal skills.

From this, I’ve come to appreciate that everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses. Judging someone based solely on your own standards is neither fair nor productive. People often have practical reasons behind their actions. For instance, I learned that she prefers phone calls because writing isn’t her strong suit. Instead of struggling with a weakness, she’s chosen to rely on her strengths, which has allowed her to be effective in her own way.

Another observation is that traditional methods of working, while seemingly outdated, still have their own benefits. While I initially saw her reliance on paper and phone calls as a drawback, I now understand that they bring a sense of thoroughness and personal touch that digital methods sometimes lack. The key is to combine the best aspects of both traditional and modern approaches to create a workflow that works best for you.

This experience has been a valuable lesson for me. It has reminded me to remain open-minded and look beyond my initial impressions. Everyone has something to offer, even if their approach is different from yours. By focusing on learning from others’ strengths while refining my own methods, I can continue to grow both personally and professionally. Ultimately, this process of observing, understanding, and adapting will help me become a more well-rounded individual in the workplace and beyond.