Most people’s dissatisfaction with their jobs can be traced to interpersonal issues. The ability to relate well to others and to work as a part of a team is essential to success in the workplace. Women in the workforce encounter unique issues in how they relate to men and to other women in a workplace setting.

Workplace dynamics frequently resemble that of a family. That “family” may be functional, or it may be dysfunctional. When the level of stress at work increases, many people fall back in to the roles that were played in their own families as children. Unfortunately, since these roles are unrelated to the reality of the current task, they can lead to feelings of hurt, anger and powerlessness. Productivity suffers and, if the situation becomes chronic, physical and mental health suffer too.

Awareness of your own family dynamics and responses to stress are the keys to preventing this “knee jerk” response and instead ensuring a rational, appropriate, work-related response. Signs that could indicate a dysfunctional work situation include:

• A sense that all of this has happened before.

• Blaming others for your difficulties.

• Spending more time focusing on the interpersonal dynamics of the workplace then on the actual work to be done.