Patrick Ropella

Q: My co-worker has a complete “diva” personality and always grabs the spotlight. What can I do to keep my patience and still do my job?

A: We all have egos. They give us self-confidence to succeed, but exaggerations in ego can be extremely damaging to any workplace environment. Here are some ways to cope:
■  Demonstrate Respect. Respect the fact that a variety of personalities and viewpoints make an organization versatile, and interesting.
■  Understand Their Perspective. Talk with the individual on a personal level to grasp background, values and motivations. Puzzle pieces may come together quickly.
■  Nip it in the Bud. Don’t wait around for the situation to change. Look for guidance from managers or leadership coaches to learn how to better manage personality conflicts.