If you’ve spent any time online in recent years, chances are you’ve encountered Karens. These arrogant white women demand to speak to your manager over coffee or use tears as leverage in order to get what they want.
They’re also those who falsely report Black people as threatening in Central Park or call the police on little children walking along the sidewalk. Their presence has become all-too-commonplace in our daily lives.
Talk calmly.
Karen is a type of person many in the workplace are familiar with and frequently have to deal with. Their demanding nature often makes working with them challenging.
To effectively deal with Karen, stay composed and listen carefully. Doing this can help you avoid misunderstandings and swiftly resolve their issues.
When dealing with Karen in the workplace, it’s essential to remember that they aren’t out to get you or do you wrong; they simply have a lot of responsibilities and it can be stressful for them.
It’s essential to be able to take a step back and assess your own reactions. It can be easy to become defensive when faced with an angry outburst, but reflecting on yourself will benefit you in such instances.
By being aware of when your own behaviour causes someone else to become upset, you can gain insight into why and provide them with an outlet for their anger. Focus on yourself and try to remain calm by breathing deeply.
By controlling your own reaction, you can prevent the situation from escalating into an outburst or worse a fight. When this occurs, try your best to be polite and then simply walk away if necessary.
Another helpful tip is to try and have a laugh with Karen when possible. It can be challenging when they seem to constantly get on your nerves, but taking a minute to laugh at them will make communication with her much smoother.
Be firm.
Karens can be a real pain in the neck for any business. These entitled white women believe their time is more valuable than everyone else’s and expect special treatment.
They have a reputation for being loud, creating disturbances and discouraging customers from visiting your business. Although you might feel compelled to give in to their demands, it does not reflect well on you or have unintended consequences on the image of your brand.
Karen or Kevin should be dealt with calmly and firmly. Make it known that you will not help them until they stop talking and explain that their behaviour is unacceptable. Doing this will show them their unreasonableness, potentially leading to better future behavior.
It is wise to remind them that their actions may damage your company’s brand and reputation, which you want avoided at all costs. Don’t squander customer relationships nor make it harder for employees to provide top-notch service.
Finally, it is necessary to put an end to Karen memes and jokes currently spreading on social media. These types of content can be a major problem in the workplace and raise red flags for anti-harassment or discrimination policies.
The main challenge you must confront when managing Karen in your workplace is that they will remain there unless you take an assertive stand. To address this, educate them on your expectations and what their role is within the business and yourself.
Don’t engage in debate.
When debating with a colleague, it’s essential to keep your emotions under wraps and focus on the task at hand. It isn’t about winning an argument or showing off; rather, finding an amicable solution that benefits all parties involved.
Debates can be productive if handled correctly, and they provide opportunities for new ideas and personal and professional growth. But if not handled appropriately, debates can devolve into tyrannical, confrontational situations that may result in loss of productivity or personal animosity.
One of the most common mistakes that can be made when engaging in a healthy debate is failing to do your due diligence. Without accurate information, you won’t be able to present your arguments convincingly.
When making an argument, it’s essential to identify who will be listening to your claim. This will enable you to decide how best to present your information and what kind of response you can anticipate from those in attendance.
Karen videos stand out among other viral video clips in that they typically express emotion publicly and focus on social issues rather than simply racist encounters. They may have larger social and economic reasons for their anger, such as the recent coronavirus pandemic that has devastated much of America or other personal or financial stressesors.
No matter your race, gender or social status, you may have to deal with some people who are less than polite and respectful. While having a conversation in the workplace can be intimidating and uncomfortable, it’s essential that you do it the right way in order to maintain the productive atmosphere that you and your colleagues have worked so hard to create.
Don’t mirror their behaviour.
In today’s hyper-connected world, it can be challenging to create and sustain a productive work atmosphere. You may come across colleagues who are particularly intolerant, judgmental and disinterested in others’ views or feelings. When this occurs, it can be especially challenging to maintain an atmosphere of positive collaboration within your workplace.
When this occurs, it’s essential not to mirror their actions. Often those who act this way are acting out of resentment or anger and this isn’t conducive to a healthy work environment.
To maximize the benefit of working with Karens, it’s essential to comprehend their behavior and know how to respond when they come at you. They are highly self-indulgent and don’t see things from your point of view – which is completely unacceptable!
They are highly immature, so it is important to speak calmly and be firm. Avoid engaging in debate as this will only aggravate them further and create further problems!
They act this way out of anger and frustration with the world, with those around them, and with what they perceive to be unfair treatment by society. They feel overwhelmed with rage and resentment at being treated this way.
Many of these incidents are the result of mental health, socio-economic and substance abuse issues that have caused individuals to feel highly frustrated and anxious about their lives.
They often act out in public places and become very frustrated when the rules don’t bend to their will. They then attempt to report this behavior with the hopes of effecting change – but this can only lead to disaster.
Walk away.
Karens are often self-righteous and selfish individuals, acting out in accordance with their belief that they are right. Unfortunately, Karens can be found in many workplaces.
If you’ve ever encountered a Karen in your workplace, you know how frustrating they can be. They tend to be rude and intrusive, with no problem calling the police if they don’t get their way. Unfortunately, Karens often suffer from emotional and psychological issues which contribute to their actions.
Karens can be difficult to deal with, but there are ways you can end the annoyance. Most often, simply walk away and don’t give them any more of your time. Chances are they just want a reaction from you so they can feel satisfied. When leaving the workplace though, make sure that you remain polite and composed; this helps prevent police calls and shows them you have bigger priorities than them. It’s likely not an isolated issue but knowing how to manage this problem will make all the difference when faced with one.
