Interpersonal Communication- A Mindful Approach to Relationships, 2020a

harasser (is highly uncivil in the workplace with a special emphasis in sexually
harassing behavior).
• Janie Harden Fritz categorized five types of problematic subordinates: the
okay subordinate, the abrasive harasser, the bully, the different other, and the
incompetent renegade. First, the okay substitute is a follower who is not stellar
or awful, just very much middle of the road. Second, the abrasive harasser is
an individual who tends to be someone who needs counseling regularly about
what constitutes sexual harassment. Third, the bully is someone who bosses their
peers around, usurps authority, and engages in hypercompetitive behavior when
competition is not necessary (all signs of someone who is deeply insecure). Fourth,
the different other is a follower who is perceived as distinctly different from their
supervisor. Finally, the incompetent renegade is ethically incompetent and views
themself as above the law within the organization.
Exercises
• Which of the six types of problematic bosses would you have the most problem
working for? Why?
• In both the coworker and subordinate categories, “difference” is viewed as a
problem in the workplace. Why do you think so many workers have a problem
with difference? How should management approach situations where difference
is impacting coworker relationships or leader-follower relationships?
• Think of a time when you’ve worked with a problematic coworker. Which of Janie
Harden Fritz’s eight types of problematic coworkers did your coworker fit into?
Did they fit into more than one? How did you handle this coworker relationship?
Chapter Wrap-Up
At the beginning of this chapter, we discussed how a good chunk of our lives is spent at work, so engaging
in a range of interpersonal relationships in the workplace is unavoidable. We started the chapter by
defining the term “professionalism” and what it means to be a professional in today’s workplace. We
then scratched the surface of the communication and leadership research that examines leadership
and followership. We discussed one of the most common relationships we have in the workplace,
the coworker relationship. Coworker relationships were followed by an examination of romantic
entanglements in the workplace, along with their pros and cons. We end this chapter looking at
problematic interpersonal relationships in the workplace.
Interpersonal Communication 490