5 Reasons You Think Your Coworkers Are Bad at Their Jobs

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why does it feel like so many people are bad at their jobs?”, you’re definitely not alone. This thought can pop up whether you’re deep in a brainstorming session, collaborating on a project, or simply chatting over coffee. Surprisingly, these perceptions are more common and complex than they may first appear.

Let’s Face It – Humans are Negative by Nature

Unfortunately, humans are hardwired to notice negative aspects more readily than positive ones. This is an evolutionary trait that was designed to keep us safe, with our brains developing systems to make it easy for us to notice danger and thus, hopefully, respond to it. However, without the threat of prehistoric carnivores coming to eat us, it’s much less relevant to the lives that we lead today. 

How Does It Show Up in Our Lives?

The technical term ‘negativity bias‘ refers to this tendency to “attend to, learn from, and use negative information far more than positive information.” It means that mistakes stand out more than successes, which can colour how we perceive our colleagues’ performance.  

Accounting for our primal negativity bias being hard-baked into our system, what else is at play when we perceive that others are bad at their jobs? Here are five common reasons:

1. You may not be fully engaged, or feel you have purpose

When employees genuinely feel that their work matters and has a positive impact, they become more engaged and productive. It’s no surprise, then, that a lack of purpose can lead to widespread dissatisfaction, not just within oneself but also toward coworkers.

Negative perceptions of others’ performances often stem from this lack of engagement. When you struggle to find meaning in your own tasks, it’s easy to extend those feelings to the people around you. It’s easier to see others and project your lack of purpose onto others. 

This can also play out in other ways, such as feeling like you can’t get things done as quickly as you would like or feeling like the priorities that are being worked on aren’t the right things. There are many other variants of this theme.

2. You may not feel valued

Employees who feel appreciated tend to show increased loyalty and engagement. Feeling valued and recognised for your contributions is crucial for overall job satisfaction. However, in many workplaces, a repeated lack of recognition creates a toxic atmosphere where negative perceptions thrive. When you’re undervalued, it becomes easier to criticise and underestimate the worth of your colleagues. 

3. You may be overworked

Feeling overworked and lacking the necessary resources can have a detrimental impact on your engagement levels. When you’re stretched too thin and don’t have the tools or support you need, staying productive and committed is challenging. Unfortunately, many employees find themselves in this situation. This constant state of overwhelm often leads to frustration, which then gets projected onto coworkers, creating a negative and stressful atmosphere.

4. You may be undervaluing other roles

Ever caught yourself thinking, “What does that person even do all day?” 

It’s a common perception that can stem from not fully understanding or undervaluing the roles of others. When we don’t see the direct impact of a colleague’s work, it’s easy to assume their job is less important than ours. This can lead to judgments and a lack of appreciation for the contributions of the entire team. Over time, this mindset breeds resentment and creates a divisive work environment. Understanding and valuing each role can significantly improve team cohesion and workplace morale.

5. You may be bringing your negative past experiences into play

People who judge others harshly may draw from their own feelings of inferiority or past negative experiences.

Negative encounters in previous workplaces or personal life can deeply influence how someone views their current coworkers. For instance, if an individual has had an experience where a colleague’s mistake led to significant repercussions, they might be more vigilant and critical of others’ errors, even if they are minor. This misplaced critical behaviour can spread negativity throughout the team, breeding an atmosphere of mistrust and dissatisfaction. 

The power of projection plays a significant role here. People often project their insecurities and shortcomings onto others. This phenomenon can result in a relentless cycle of negativity and criticism, further distorting one’s ability to assess a coworker’s performance objectively. 

How Can We Change All This Negativity?

So how do we tackle these negative perceptions? 

First, we can increase our understanding of how hardwired we are to think like this and proactively seek to change our behaviour. Combating negative factors in the workplace requires proactive strategies to ensure a more positive, productive, and engaging environment for everyone. 

Here are three tips to help you and your team shift to a more constructive atmosphere:

Tip #1: Foster open communication

Encourage an environment where open communication is welcomed and valued. Have courageous conversations and seek to talk to people directly with a solutions-focused mindset. Clear and consistent communication, especially from leadership, can help alleviate misunderstandings and foster a sense of trust and transparency within the team. 

Tip #2 Celebrate success

Recognising and celebrating team members’ contributions is essential. Acknowledging accomplishments, both big and small, can significantly boost morale and create a more inclusive workplace.

Tip #3 Create a sense of belonging and action

Leaders can be invaluable to help keep people engaged and positive. This can cultivate a sense of belonging and reinforce a positive organisational culture.

Breathe Away Your Bias

The world of work can feel like a zoo, with everyone believing that nobody knows what they’re doing. Before you jump on the negativity bandwagon, take a breather. Remember, our own biases and past experiences often skew perception. So, next time you feel the urge to roll your eyes at a coworker, maybe chill for a sec. A little empathy and recognition can go a long way. 

Let’s turn those grumbles into gratitude and make the workplace a happier, more productive jungle!