How to Deal with Coworkers Who Catastrophize: Turning Anxiety into an Asset

Apr 8

Introduction

We've all encountered them: the coworkers who seem to find every possible disaster lurking in every project, every decision, and every interaction. They're the ones who can turn a simple team meeting into an anxiety-ridden session of doom and gloom. While their concerns may be valid, their catastrophizing can derail productivity and dampen morale. So, how can you deal with these coworkers and turn their anxiety into an asset for your team? Here are some strategies to help you manage and even benefit from their unique perspective.

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Give them the job of identifying potential risks

Instead of trying to suppress their concerns, channel their anxiety into a productive task. Assign them the responsibility of identifying all the potential risks and problems that could arise in a project. This not only gives them an outlet for their anxiety but also helps the team to proactively address potential issues before they become real problems.

Create a risk assessment grid

Once your catastrophizing coworker has identified all the potential risks, gather a few other team members and create a risk assessment grid. This grid should categorize the risks based on their likelihood and potential impact. By doing this, you can prioritize which risks need to be addressed immediately and which can be monitored for future developments.

Acknowledge the value of their input

It's important to recognize that your coworker's concerns may stem from past experiences or anxiety disorders. While it's not your job to be their therapist, acknowledging the value of their input can help them feel heard and respected. Let them know that their perspective is important, but that it needs to be balanced with the rest of the team's input.

Schedule separate meetings for risk assessment

To prevent your coworker's catastrophizing from derailing team meetings, schedule separate sessions specifically for discussing and addressing potential risks. This allows your coworker to fully express their concerns without interrupting the flow of other meetings. It also ensures that there is dedicated time for addressing potential issues, making it less likely that they will be overlooked or dismissed.

Encourage them to develop solutions

Once your coworker has identified potential risks, encourage them to come up with possible solutions or mitigation strategies. This not only helps to address the issues they've raised but also empowers them to take a more proactive role in problem-solving.

Foster a supportive and open team environment

Finally, it's essential to create a team culture that encourages open communication and support. Make it clear that everyone's input is valued and that it's okay to raise concerns or potential problems. By fostering a supportive environment, you can help your catastrophizing coworker feel more comfortable sharing their concerns and, in turn, help the entire team to be better prepared for any challenges that may arise.

Conclusion

Dealing with a catastrophizing coworker can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be a detriment to your team's success. By acknowledging their concerns, giving them an outlet for their anxiety, and incorporating their input into your team's risk assessment process, you can turn their catastrophizing into a valuable asset that helps your team to anticipate and address potential problems before they become crises.