I was reading this Businessweek article called Who goes there. It's about Frenemies at work, and how to deal with them.I think there's only one way to deal with them.
Capital Punishment.
Seriously, though, I think I've hardly ever encountered Frenemies at the workplace: it's either friends or colleagues for me. Typically, my work relationships have been deeply rewarding, and continue to energize me even after I've left the place.
I'm pretty unforgiving in friendships. Cross me once, and you're out. I'm diplomatic about it, so I do get calls once in a while asking how come we're not hanging out anymore, and have to throw in my fauxcuse enchilada of work-study-stress-family-quest-for-world-peace, etc. It's incredibly fake, I know. But at least I own up to it.
Over the years, I've accumulated a group of friends who I trust completely, and sometimes they understand me better than myself (I wish they'd stop reminding me that, though).
I think that we should spend more time with people who make you happy and yourself, and less with people who you, in Sheri's (of Bob and Sheri) husband Mark's words, "create more work" for you.
It takes a lot of work to put up a fake front. Emotions can be easily faked, but try sustaining that for months and years. It's like having another unpaid career!
P.S. Nat Geo is showing the March of the Penguins. Except, they now call it "Penguins: A Love Story" and adds "as narrated by Amitabh Bachchan". Oh, please. Channeling my long lost friend Dr. Olamide J, talk to the hand, Nat Geo.
