I've been following the Brian Williams saga as it twists and turns and morphs and misremembers. I'm not going to comment on his situation, other than to say I've noted random comments accompanying various stories on the topic that read something like this: "I totally have a co-worker who exaggerates everything, all the time." To which someone inevitably replies: "Yeah, every office I've ever worked in has someone like that."
Just add eggs and water, and bam! -- instant blog post that took hours and hours and HOURS to write!***
The Office Raconteur is always ready with a long-winded story, that, ahem, seems to exaggerate the circumstances. Sometimes, you're in the position to know if the details are entirely accurate, and sometimes you're not.
Did your co-worker's Tijuana vacation actually include a police chase and a donkey cart full of manure? Did he really stay up all night working on The Big Account? Because in all honesty, the goal posts on the project don't look like they've moved an inch since yesterday.
Was the client truly over-the-top angry in your co-worker's one-on-one meeting this morning, or was the client simply terse, and incredibly matter-of-fact, in making his case? Did your co-worker, in fact, make seventeen Michael Jordanesque slam dunks in the course of playing a pick-up game of basketball with his buddies last night -- and with a painfully pulled hamstring, to boot? Is this co-worker's excuse for being late for work (again...) entirely workable? Does it really matter if he or she tends to bend the details a bit to suit the moment, and the assembled audience? Hmm. I guess that's the question.
Sometimes, however, we're actually there to see it happen. No, the client didn't use that phrasing at all. No, our thoughtful, considerate co-worker would never, ever do something like that at a business lunch. No, this typical, run-of-the-mill task isn't nearly as "impossible" as this co-worker is describing it a new hire. We know the details of the situation, and the answer is: NO.
So, what can, or should, we do about the random "exaggerations" we hear from this co-worker every day on the job? A simple rule of thumb: If it's not affecting your job performance or general perceptions of you, then ignore it the best you can as a workplace annoyance. If it is affecting your job performance negatively, however, then it's time to do something.
If a co-worker regularly seems to exaggerate the details regarding his or her personal life or extracurricular activities, then that's on her. Chalk it up to TMI, coupled with a heavy dose of dramarama. Oh, there she goes again! If he or she is greatly exaggerating work-related details that somehow involve you, then you have every right to call it like you see it.
You might start by seeking this co-worker out for a quick, one-on-one private conversation. You might say something like, "I noticed you exaggerated some details in the conference call this morning, and I hope it won't happen again because it made me feel very uncomfortable." This co-worker might try to start a "Are you saying I'm a liar?" type of argument, but stay calm, cool and collected, and don't engage in debate. Simply say, "Well, I saw what I saw (or heard what I heard) and I needed to say something privately to you about it." Leave it there. This co-worker will now know that (1) your B.S. meter is finely tuned; and (2) you're a brave soul for pointing it out.
You might also make sure, as often as possible, that your future interactions with this co-worker are conducted in a group setting. In other words, there is always a third person (or more) within earshot to experience situations as they happen. Think of it as a form of recollection insurance should problems arise down the line. In some cases, you may decide it's best to avoid this co-worker entirely.
Should you ever take this problem to management? It's best to work it out one-on-one whenever possible to avoid involving HR, which could exaggerate the problem office-wide before it's duly noted in a file somewhere. Again, you'll have to decide if what this co-worker says is negatively impacting your job performance and damaging perceptions of you as a hard-working, diligent, good employee.
This workplace problem is a tough one -- akin to surviving the worst rush hour traffic we've ever seen in our whole lives, only to turn around and get yelled at by a barista who literally got up in our faces and made us cry when we asked for a stir stick! You'll have to decide whether it's worth calling this co-worker out, especially if you fear this co-worker might retaliate somehow.
Whatever you decide to do, just know that you're not alone. I would love to hear your workplace tales on this topic. Just stay away from making your tales too tall, and it's all good.
*** It took about an hour, and that hour was incredibly uneventful.
This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.
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