How Do I Get, “Oh That’s Just Walt” Status?

In every job I've ever held since first starting in the work force, there has always been that one person that has somehow achieved the magical status of, “Oh, that's them!” Now you may know these people and just maybe you never thought of it in this particular way but they are out there. In every job, profession, career path and industry. But what is a, thats just them, person you ask? Read on my friend..

I'll start with posing a question to you. At your place of work is there that one person that is different from all the rest? Often they have a myriad of traits that all boil down to a few ways of acting. Most often they are surly, usually pedantic, they love the rules, know them well, ie policies and procedures, and they love to micro manage. And interestingly enough they are often well versed in their job! They likely have a hard edge, more especially with those they don't like. And they carry that air of, how can I say this... With a disdain and a slight sense of superiority. And they always get the same pass! The same excuse is always is made for their lack of emotional intelligence! Oh that's just them!

Now I realize it's much harder to describe in the written word however let me put it different way. Do you have a coworker, supervisor, etc that is often curt, speaks with just a hint of condescension, and seems to find something wrong with most other employees, usually small inane things, and generally has a sour disposition? And the biggest tell tale sign, when you bring up this ray of sunshine as point of curiosity, everyone says the same thing... Oh that's just them! Usually followed by, don’t take it personal.

Thats the “oh thats just them” person. Now to be fair, as I stated, they are often very proficient at their job, usually because they lean towards perfectionism, and they often rise in the ranks. Usually middle management positions because their attention to detail has a bent towards what's wrong as opposed to what's right.

Think about your workplace for a moment. There's often at least one person, god help you if there's two by the way, that has a sour demeanor, and loves to point out what anyone does wrong, they micromanage, they're always around, circling like a shark waiting for that moment to catch someone not working, making a mistake, or otherwise somehow offending their sense of self perfection.

They also love to remind you what your job is, like a lot! Or reiterate instructions they've already given you several times in that way that feels like you're being scolded despite doing exactly as you were told in the first place.

Incidentally they love to hold others accountable to the standards they've set in their own head, reasonable or not, and the biggest sign! It doesn't matter what they tell you, positive, negative, or indifferent, it always feels negative.

Now I am well known for thinking about things a lot, often too much. Sometimes over analyzing even. But I find people fascinating, and I've always been intrigued by this particular subset of people. My honest opinion is they are again, perfectionist, They have high standards, and they are most often very good at their job. What I feel they lack is emotional intelligence. Or the ability to be a leader. They make great managers in that they do things right, at least in the technical skills needed to do a job. What they get very wrong is how they motivate and treat people. Leaders motivate with empathy, honesty, and positivity. Leaders inspire people to want to be better. Leaders cut people slack when needed, and have hard conversations when needed, but do it in a way that inspires others to a higher standard.

The oh thats's just them folks can't help but find fault in others, often just a little gleefully. And they seek out the opportunity to tell someone they're fucking up. Especially if it's a very small thing that isn't quite fucking up, but they construed it as such. Perhaps you glanced at your phone for a moment to check a text, or an alert you just got. These folks love that because this is the exact moment they usually show up. Oddly those moments often happen when you're feeling pretty good about your work product and feel like you're doing your part. You take that moment for yourself and, boom they're there! To remind you that you're not working, you're not doing your part, and their favorite line in this case is very often, if you have time to be on your phone, you have time to do whatever it is they think you should be doing.

I would also posit that these folks do not subscribe to the good for the goose, good for the gander ideology. No, these folks do not like to be questioned about anything they do because in their mind they don't do what you do. You fuck off at work, they have very important things to do. Personal or otherwise and you shall not question their authority. Interestingly, it doesn't matter if they have any authority, it's more so that they have appointed themselves with this magnanimous task of being better, smarter, and more productive than their coworkers. I mean this place couldn't run without their steady hand ensuring all know they hold such a difficult and trying position! After all its not easy suffering fools all day. And they rarely miss an opportunity to let you know just how capable they are. And more so, how not capable you are.

These folks often have the next higher supervisor, and/ or HR on speed dial, just in case they need to report something. Letting the higher ups know someone else screwed up or offended their sense of perfection is very important.

Now these folks likely grew up with cold, demanding parents, or some authoritarian influence where praise or positivity was considered weak or at the very least unnecessary to motivate someone. They feel negative reinforcement is the way to go. I mean if people don't realize just how terrible, lazy, or insert whatever negative connotation here that they are, then it's squarely this person's duty to tell them.

Now why do I say it's the, “Thats Just Them” moniker? Because everyone, more especially management will always, and I do mean always give them a pass. It doesn't matter if they are rude, condescending, mean, or simply down right unreasonable, you will get the same answer. Oh don't take it personal, thats just them! And there it is! The issue is the “thats just them” person knows never to cross the line of being unprofessional. Their delivery is much more masquerading condescension and contempt as being a “tough love kinda person” or they have “high expectations” type.

It doesn't matter how much toxicity, negativity, or lack of team cohesion these kinds of people bring everyday to the workplace, they will always get a pass. On the rarest of occasions they may get a slight, and I do mean slight talking to, if another employee makes enough of a stink, but again this is quite rare. Because the “that's just them' folks are in fact very proficient at their job, and they never met a rule, policy, or their own sense of self importance they didn't like. Most organizations love these folks because they do their job well and love to make sure everyone else does their job. Thats not to say well, though. Often other employees work hard to avoid these folks. They want as little interaction with them as possible. And I would say, they would prefer to do an adequate at best job for these kinds of people rather than a excellent job because the “that's just them” people inspire that. One side note. Oddly there are always a few people who like the “thats just them” folks. Or at least say they do.

It's often been said that people don't remember what you said so much as how you made them feel. I think thats very true. If I know you're never going to acknowledge anything except where I fuck up, good luck getting me to want to do more for you. And I think most people feel the same. Now I take my work product very seriously. To me it's an extension of my character. I always want to do the very best job I can. I always strive to be a value add and I want to exceed expectations. That was instilled in me by my mom and dad many years ago. If I'm not doing something correctly, please tell me! I'd prefer you not be an asshole about it, but some folks simply can't help themselves. You can be honest, you can be direct, you can even do it with a neutral tone. But... if you're always shitty about it, with that slight hint of condescension.... I'm gonna avoid you like the proverbial plague. I'm going to give you exactly what you asked for and nothing more. I value my work ethic. I value being a part of a team and I highly value what I put in the world especially at a job I'm being paid money for. I will under promise and over deliver. Thats my own personal standard. I have no delusions that I don't always hit that mark. And as I've stated in past posts, no one is harder on me than me. I also have an idea of my personal worth. I know what I bring to the table. I am very secure with that and I spent many years earning that knowledge. You can tell me all day what you think I am not. And I'll listen with an open heart and mind because you may just have a point and if so, I'll happily readjust. I take those on a case by case basis however.

If you want to tell me constantly what I'm doing wrong, real or perceived, incidentally more often perceived, or it's not how you would do it... First, I'm truly sorry about your childhood and I mean that in the most sincere way. That can't be an easy way to grow up and I feel for you. Second, you're a goddamn adult now! Take a look at yourself, take some responsibility for your actions and how you treat people and find some self actualization! I often say I'm not that smart, I may be clever, the jury is still out, but if I can figure out how to treat people with dignity and respect, odds are the 'thats just them' people who are usually very high in intelligence can figure out some shit too.. So for god's sake learn some emotional intelligence! It's not like you don't have the ability.

My point is if I can figure some shit out, then surely the “thats just them” folks can to! The issue is those people much more often than not believe they're right and everyone else is wrong. If you can't take an objective approach to yourself and how you interact with other people... Then best of luck in your relationships, both personal and professional, you'll absolutely need it.

I started this post with how do I get this ephemeral, “Thats Just Walt” status. This was of course tongue in cheek. It's a sad day if ever get there. That would mean I lost my sense of empathy, and turn my personal ire and bullshit on the world. Think about it. When have you ever heard anyone describe a person as a good worker, or fun to be around, or name any other positive virtue, and someone else described them, “oh that's just so and so, that's just how they are”, and “don't take it personal”! Yeah…never I'll wager.

That status is most often reserved for the folks I've described above. They're surly, they're curt, they more often have a frown on their face than not, and they certainly make life more difficult than it needs to be. But hey, That's just them right!