A collaboration between two professionals can be an ideal way to solve work problems. It is also a way to get new ideas, increase productivity, avoid burnout, and make progress faster.
It can be challenging when one partner has a hidden desire for more than just business. This desire may be rooted in attraction, infatuation, lust, or simply unrequited love. Collaborators who struggle with this situation need coping mechanisms that will help them suppress their desires while maintaining professionalism.
The first mechanism is to focus on the task at hand. If you are struggling with your collaborator's looks or gestures, don't stare too long. Instead, concentrate on the project. Talk about it and keep busy. Make sure that your collaboration is successful, and do your best to achieve goals and deadlines. Your partner will notice if you're not working hard enough, but they won't see you as unprofessional or immature.
Another way to cope is to set boundaries before starting a collaboration. Let your colleague know that you prefer a platonic relationship and will not engage in sexual activity. Set limits on communication outside of work hours, such as no texting after 9 pm or no social media comments. Tell your collaborator what kind of language is appropriate during meetings and how you handle jokes or flirting. Be firm but polite, and make it clear that you want to remain friends without any romantic implications.
If all else fails, look for another partner. Finding a new collaborator may feel like giving up, but it could save your career and relationships. You can find someone who doesn't trigger your libido or desire. It's better to have a professional relationship than risk reputations or jobs due to an affair. Seek out colleagues who share similar interests or skills, not just physical attraction.
Collaborating with someone you're attracted to can be difficult, but these coping mechanisms help maintain professionalism while suppressing desires. Focus on work tasks, set boundaries, and move on if necessary. Remember that friendship and respect are more important than short-term pleasures.
What coping mechanisms emerge when one collaborator suppresses desire to maintain professionalism?
When a team member intentionally refrains from expressing their needs or wants in order to remain respectful of others' boundaries and adhere to established norms of professionalism, they may experience a variety of psychological and emotional effects that require coping mechanisms to manage. These individuals may feel frustrated, disconnected, or even resentful towards their colleagues who are more vocal about their desires and needs.