For instance, if the problem is a coworker is playing music too loud, try approaching it this way: “Can I speak to you for a minute? I’m sorry to bother you about this problem, but your music being so loud really distracts me from my work. Is it possible we can find a solution to this problem?”
For instance, if you’ve noticed they left a mess again in the kitchen, you could say something such as “I noticed you left a mess in the kitchen. Would you mind cleaning it up? Don’t worry, I’m just as bad. I’m such a slob sometimes; they may need to send in an excavation team for my dirty dishes at home, haha. "
For instance, if your coworker won’t be quiet about politics, maybe you could say, “I love how enthusiastic you are about your political beliefs. However, you are making some people uncomfortable who don’t share your views. Could you maybe save that conversation for after work? It’s great how passionate you are; few people care that much. "
For instance, you could say, “I’ve noticed the noise level in the office has gone up dramatically lately. Could everyone please pay attention to the amount of noise you’re creating?”
For instance, if your coworker talks too loudly on the phone, maybe you can try putting in noise-cancelling headphones with some soft, instrumental music to drown him out. [13] X Research source [14] X Expert Source Julia Yacoob, PhDClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 11 August 2021.
However, try to make the suggestion politely. For instance, you could say, “I hate to run, but I’ve got a deadline coming up at 5. Can I catch you later?” or “I enjoy having music on, but would you mind turning it down a little? I really need to make a phone call. “[16] X Expert Source Julia Yacoob, PhDClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 11 August 2021. [17] X Research source
For instance, say you are complaining that your coworker tends to talk very loudly outside your office, making it difficult to concentrate. You could say, “I hate to bring it up with you because I know you are busy. I’m involved with a conflict with another coworker. I don’t want to complain; rather, I’m want to help find a solution. Basically, we’re having a conflict over how much noise should be allowed in the main parts of the office. I was hoping maybe you could help us find a solution or maybe mediate between the two of us. We have tried to resolve it, but we haven’t found the right solution yet. Thank you for hearing me out. "
