One of the greatest sources of stress we experience in dispatch is from our own co-workers. Essentially I have identified five types of "characters" that may be appearing in a dispatch near you that can make your day more stressful.

Character Number One: The Chatter.

The Chatter loves to create a distraction by engaging in chit-chat or idle banter just at the wrong or most busiest times. Like when you're trying to enter a vehicle into the teletype. The Chatter goes on and on about this and that. The problem of course is that you're busy trying to concentrate on getting the entry in correctly so that you don't make a mistake. The Chatter cares not. They chat away seemingly on auto pilot, "Yak, yak, yak..."

Character Number Two: The Gossiper.

You've got to love this character. Whatever news is fit to spout they'll make sure they get it out. The real problem is when they are need or new or fresh material. So, they engage you in a "trustful" and "heart-felt" conversation in order to get you to divulge the latest news headline - about yourself.

Character Number Three - The Open Book.

This character likes to lay their entire soul open to you - or anybody - that will listen. They like to share everything from their fight last night with their spouse to the fact that they are constipated. Nothing is closed or "verboten" about their life, giving you more information than you could possibly want to know.

Character Number Four - The Idea Thief

You have a great idea to streamline dispatch operations. The idea thief takes note of your idea and tells the boss about it. The boss is thrilled about the suggestion. That's great, except that the idea thief forgot to mention it was YOUR idea first. Thus, they get all the credit. The idea thief is all about getting to the top using the ladder of your (or anyone else's) ideas!

Character Number Five - The Spy

The Spy's method of operation is to collect data - on YOU! Or anybody else. This is the employee that walks so close behind the supervisor that if they were to stop short abruptly, the Spy's nose would end up "you know where". The Spy is especially disconcerting. If you work with one you can never let your guard down, never divulge your feelings, or ideas. You have to watch everything you say.

So what do you do with the cast of characters?

Counteracting the Chatter.

Short of telling them to "shut up", simply ask them to tell you about it later, and keep on working. Better yet, be inventive. Hand them some of the work, that will keep them busy.

Counteracting The Gossiper.

No nice way about this one. The minute you see them gossiping, or especially when the topic is you, confront them about it. Nothing shuts up a gossiper more than confrontation. Their life-blood is a willing audience. Don't be willing.

Counteracting the Open Book.

Again, direct confrontation. Explain that you are not trying to be rude, but you prefer not to know. Careful on this one though. Someone may be in a real hurt and just trying to reach out. We all get that way sometimes. Don't shut off someone who may be on their last gasp. But the open book person is usually easily recognizable.

Counteracting the Idea thief.

Got an idea? The best way to promote it is keep it to yourself until the time to present it. Don't broadcast your "portfolio" to the masses, many have pen and paper handy.

Counteracting the Spy.

A little "group" correction can go a long way on this one. Actually many good supervisors don't condone this type of "ratting" on your fellow dispatchers. The best way to stop them in their tracks is to, expose them. First to their face, then if the behavior doesn't stop go to the supervisor. Tell them there is only ONE person who evaluates your performance - your supervisor.

There are "characters" in all walks of life. In fact, maybe you might have seen yourself in one of these characterizations. In any case confronting or avoiding the behavior of "characters" may lessen the impact they can have on you in the workplace

Have another characterization? Send it to us.