Ever feel like you’re stuck in the middle of a sitcom… but instead of actors, you’ve got coworkers? It’s true: Every office has its cast of characters—some you love, some you tolerate, and some you can’t believe are still employed.

But here’s the thing: You can’t change your coworkers. You can’t wish them away, and you can’t pretend they don’t exist.

So, what can you do?

You can learn to navigate the chaos. Because, let’s face it, you’ll encounter these seven office personalities at some point, and your survival depends on how well you handle them.

Here’s your survival guide to the seven most common office types—and how to deal with them like a pro:


1. The Overachiever

You know who I’m talking about—the one who turns every simple task into a full-blown project. They’re the ones drafting PowerPoint slides for a 5-minute meeting and adding bullet points like their life depends on it.

How to Handle Them: Compliment their enthusiasm (because it’s not your job to rain on their parade), but don’t get sucked into their vortex of perfectionism. Set clear boundaries. Your free time is worth more than being "MVP" of the office.

Let them bask in the glory. You’ll still get your paycheck without breaking a sweat.


2. The Procrastinator

Deadlines? What deadlines?The Procrastinator’s motto is “I’ll do it later.” They’re the ones who are scrambling at 4:59 PM while you’re already halfway out the door.

How to Survive Them:
It’s tempting to shake them awake, but instead, encourage them to take accountability for their delays. If their last-minute madness affects your work, calmly remind them: “Later” doesn’t always mean “never.”

And if all else fails, just grab your popcorn and watch the chaos unfold. It’s like a reality TV show, except it’s happening right in front of you.


3. The Coffee Addict

This person runs on caffeine—literally. If their veins were wired to Starbucks, they’d survive on nothing else. They’re the first to suggest a coffee break and the last one to leave the break room.

How to Survive Them:
Join in on the coffee love, but don’t let them drag you to the café for the fifth time today. And if their obsession starts affecting productivity, suggest a little "game-changer" (a.k.a. decaf).

It’s a delicate dance: You want to keep the peace, but you don’t want to turn into a jittery mess.


4. The “Idea” Person

Every day is brainstorming day for this person. They’ve got 1,000 ideas… but zero follow-through. Great for big-picture thinking, terrible for actual execution. You’ll leave meetings with a notebook full of dreams and no clue how to make them happen.

How to Survive Them:
Praise their creativity (because why not?), but gently steer the conversation to action. Ask, “How do we turn this into something tangible?” Get them focused on a few actionable steps—or better yet, pair them with someone who can actually do something.

Your job? Keep the ideas flowing but make sure they don’t get stuck in the “dream stage.”


5. The Gossip

They know everything about everyone. What’s going on in HR, what’s happening in IT, who’s dating who… if there’s tea, they’re spilling it. And if you’re not careful, you might end up as the next headline. Hehehehe...

How to Survive Them:
Stay polite, but keep your personal life to yourself. Don’t feed the gossip mill, and you won’t be the next victim. When they start spilling, just redirect the conversation to something “safe.”

Like the cafeteria food. Trust me, they’ll get the hint.


6. The Meeting Enthusiast

Some people live for meetings. They think a simple email is an insult to collaboration. So, they schedule a meeting for everything. A meeting to discuss the meeting you just had. Fun times, right?

How to Survive Them:
Keep your points short and to the point. Prepare for battle with concise, actionable info. If they try to schedule more meetings, suggest other methods of communication (Slack, anyone?).

Don’t let your life become one endless agenda.


7. The Quiet Observer

They’re the one who hardly says a word but notices everything. You’ll never hear them complain, but don’t mistake their silence for disengagement—they know what’s going on and are probably five steps ahead of everyone else.

How to Survive Them:
Respect their space and when they do speak, listen. Their observations? Often more insightful than you realize. Don’t assume they’re just “observing” for fun—they’re quietly gathering the info they need to outperform the rest of us.

In other words: Don’t underestimate the power of the silent type.


What office personality do you find the most challenging? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your survival tips.