Taming Your Dragon: Effective Strategies for Dealing with Dominant Colleagues

The Chinese Spring Festival/Lunar New Year, celebrated on 10 February by over 1.5 billion people worldwide, marks the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. This auspicious event presents a significant opportunity for businesses to showcase their offerings to China's rapidly expanding middle class.

As the appetite for Scottish luxury goods, including whisky, salmon, cashmere, and tourism, continues to rise in China, the time has never been better to explore export opportunities. For assistance in navigating this exciting market, connect with the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), an organisation dedicated to promoting trade and investment links between Scotland and China.  Other sources of info for Scottish businesses looking to export overseas are Scotland Food & Drink and Scottish Development International.

Navigating the Dynamics of Dominant Personalities

According to the Chinese zodiac, individuals born in the Year of the Dragon (e.g., 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988) are characterised by their energy, goal orientation, romanticism, and strong sense of self-confidence. However, these positive traits can sometimes manifest as temperamental, self-centred, and domineering behaviour.

While assertiveness is often valued in the workplace, dominant personalities can disrupt team dynamics by disregarding others' opinions, taking credit for others' work, and making decisions without consultation. If you find yourself struggling to assert yourself with such a colleague, consider implementing these practical strategies:

1. Stay Calm and Collected: Dragons are task-oriented and prioritise outcomes over processes. When interacting with a dominant colleague, maintain composure and avoid emotional responses. Instead, focus on presenting facts objectively, rather than expressing personal feelings.
2. Effective Non-Verbal Communication: Non-verbal communication plays a crucial role in interactions with dominant personalities. Maintain direct eye contact and adopt a neutral expression. Avoid placatory gestures such as excessive smiling or hand wringing, as well as challenging body language like chest puffing or jaw thrusting.
3. Clarity and Directness: Dominant personality types value efficiency and urgency. In both written and verbal communication, skip unnecessary pleasantries and avoid rehashing old issues. Instead, focus on conveying your key message concisely and directly.
4. Get it in Writing: Requesting written documentation of discussions and agreements helps maintain a clear record of interactions. This documentation can be invaluable in addressing any potential misunderstandings or disagreements.
5. Empathy and Understanding: Recognising that different personalities and communication styles exist is the foundation of empathy. By understanding your colleague's motivations and perspective, you can better approach potential confrontations.

Effectively dealing with dominant colleagues requires a combination of assertiveness, empathy, and strategic communication. By implementing these practical tips, you can foster a more harmonious and productive work environment, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.

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