Karen is an online insult typically directed towards middle-aged white women who act entitled and rude, typically expecting special treatment they do not deserve.
At times, people with narrow-minded views and high standards may get upset over even minor inconveniences and throw public tantrums in public spaces. Sometimes they even harass employees at retail and restaurant locations.
1. Recognize that it’s not about you.
As when dealing with Karen, it can be easy to become preoccupied by their bad behavior and become obsessed with it. However, it’s important to keep in mind that their annoying actions do not necessarily reflect back onto you as an individual and the behavior they display may not necessarily represent who you are as an individual.
As a first step to healing any relationship issues with someone, the best starting point is recognizing they may not be the brightest bulb and accepting that their irritating habits may indeed be legitimately annoying – yet somehow seem more bothersome than necessary. By seeing their annoying habits for what they are and not taking them personally, taking steps towards fixing what needs fixing becomes easier; even if that means temporarily distancing yourself or changing your own behaviour – every small change can make an enormous difference over time.
2. Don’t take it personally.
An arrogant co-worker such as Karen may seem intent on getting under your skin, but that may not necessarily be the case. They could just be having a difficult day themselves and acting out due to something which happened in their lives that day.
People who take things personally often have issues with their own self-esteem; they may feel inadequate or like nothing has been accomplished in their lives.
Karen first surfaced online and is used to refer to annoyingly entitled white women who demand speaking with managers without hesitation. More specifically, this term has also become associated with an unusual bob cut hairstyle known as speak-to-the-manager hair.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
If you work with Karen, it’s important to acknowledge her feelings of overwhelm and offer your assistance if needed. Without assistance she might not have enough resources or time to complete all her work.
Help her by seeking help, rather than being afraid to ask. People want to be helpful, and are often happy to provide assistance when needed.
By asking for assistance, you are signalling to someone that you require their expertise and services – this sends both parties positive signals about how best to collaborate together.
4. Don’t be afraid to speak up.
Speaking up is integral to both your career and wellbeing; it helps foster an inclusive workplace culture and empower others.
As soon as it’s time to speak out, you may experience both physical and emotional signals telling you it’s time. These could include lumps in your throat or butterflies in your tummy.
If you find it hard to speak up, try to determine why. Perhaps it is because you feel embarrassed, afraid of rejection or no longer getting results from speaking up.
As someone in a leadership position who benefits from racial, social, or economic privilege, it’s your duty to speak up on behalf of those who don’t have this privilege – this could help build trust between co-workers while preventing repeat of conflict situations. Only you know when and where is best to speak up!
5. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself.
Standing up for yourself can feel intimidating, but it’s essential to realize it’s not all about you and doesn’t need to be difficult.
One of the major barriers to speaking up for themselves is fear. This stems from believing they don’t deserve their needs met or shouldn’t express them.
But these beliefs may be incorrect and they won’t do you any good in the long run. Speaking up for yourself can be liberating, empowering and help protect you from others mistreatment as well as avoid future situations that might prove more challenging to handle. Learn to recognize when it is necessary for you to speak out for yourself, taking small steps forward towards practice; in time it will pay dividends!
6. Don’t be afraid to say no.
If a co-worker asks you for assistance that falls outside your area of expertise, don’t be intimidated into saying no. Although it may be uncomfortable at first, saying no will make you a stronger team player over time while improving the overall quality of work.
Karens have been around for some time, but the term really took off during the coronavirus pandemic and protests for racial justice. These women can often appear oblivious to injustice while possessing entitlement privilege and being unreasonable.
People who believe they have power over others through social status or age tend to act like they possess it; they want a voice in every decision, and don’t hesitate to use their privilege for themselves.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
If Karen has you stumped, don’t be intimidated to seek assistance. Don’t feel compelled to continue struggling alone. Reach out and seek support as soon as you need it.
Though you may feel that seeking assistance is a sign of weakness or lack of self-confidence, the opposite may actually be true: by remaining stubborn about reaching out for assistance you risk showing yourself to be even less capable than before.
As your career develops, co-workers may watch more closely how you react when faced with obstacles or difficult colleagues. If someone keeps trying to undermine you or stop helping out, co-workers could begin thinking that you’re not capable of managing that position or don’t belong there. If that occurs regularly then co-workers could come to believe you are an ineffective worker or don’t belong in that particular job role.
8. Don’t be afraid to speak up.
People often hesitate to speak up at work because they fear of the possible repercussions, which could include upsetting relationships, creating tension within a comfortable setting, or being seen as troublemakers.
While these concerns are valid, it should be weighed against the advantages of speaking up. For instance, raising one’s opinion can lead to conflict resolution, team leadership roles or business changes that would otherwise not happen.
Speak up if something doesn’t align with company culture or policies – failure to do so may enable an employee to cross boundaries that violate them and set an undesirable precedent. Being assertive when necessary isn’t easy, but protecting oneself is absolutely essential for creating a productive work environment.
9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or need assistance in any form, do not be intimidated into keeping it to yourself. Reaching out for assistance is part of life and deserves to be possible for each of us.
An unpleasant colleague such as Karen can be extremely disabling; they tend to take advantage of others while possessing an entitled and arrogant mindset.
Studies show that those who seek assistance are actually perceived as more intelligent.
If you find yourself dealing with a co-worker like Karen, do not be intimidated into asking for assistance. Asking will demonstrate that you aren’t weak or passive but capable of accomplishing what is set before you. Plus, seeking assistance will make both yourself and Karen feel less alone and vulnerable – ultimately improving both of your lives!
10. Don’t be afraid to say no.
Ability to say no is an essential business skill that will enable you to protect the time and energy which are most precious to you.
People often agree to other people’s requests out of obligation or fear, which could compromise your personal and professional goals. This can be detrimental if it interferes with them.
To ease the burden, try being assertive and firm when responding to offers; this will help others understand that you are taking an important decision for yourself.
