No matter what you do and where you work, work can be a stressful experience. One of the things that contribute to your frustration is probably annoying coworkers. Most people know at least one annoying coworker who gets in their way of happiness and performance. But just as you think of others’ annoying behavior, how do you turn the mirror on yourself? How can you be sure that you’re not the annoying person your teammate complains about later?

In general, levels of stress and concern have escalated. Adobe recently surveyed almost 10,000 people across eight global markets and found that 80% of people are concerned by at least one global issue, to the point that it hurts their productivity and job satisfaction.

Within this context of pressure, stress, and significant issues, people are also annoyed at work. Research by LLC found 83% of people have a coworker who annoys them, 52% say an annoying coworker prevents them from doing their best work, and 21% of people have even considered quitting because their frustrations are so high.

HOW TO AVOID BEING ANNOYING

Of course, if you’re one of the people annoying others, it can be very career-limiting. People won’t advocate for you, invite you to be part of exciting projects, or seek your opinions. Your ability to connect, grow, and enjoy fulfillment in your role is significantly related to feeling part of the community and like your work matters. If people avoid you, it’ll get in your way.

To be your best and relate best to others, you need to be aware of what triggers people’s frustrations and reflect on your own approach.

CONSIDER HOW YOU WORK

According to the LLC data, 62% of workers surveyed say they’re frustrated by people not pulling their weight and having to take up the slack. In addition, 45% of people get annoyed by colleagues who complain and 42% are impatient with those who are lazy or have a poor work ethic. When people act entitled, it’s challenging for 32% of people.

Consider how you show up and the ways you go about your work. Demonstrate commitment by focusing on work that is a priority for the team and putting your best effort forward. Of course, managing your boundaries is essential, but you also need to pitch in when there’s a critical project and take the initiative when you see something that can be improved.

CONSIDER HOW YOU PRESENT YOURSELF

According to the LLC data, how people come across can also be a source of annoyance. Arrogance is frustrating for 39% of people, and negativity is a turnoff for 32%.

Everyone has good days and bad days, but try to show up in a constructive way. One of the most important ways people learn is through watching, listening to, and experiencing others. No matter your role, you have a tremendous influence on your team and organization.

It is vital, though, that you don’t confuse confidence with arrogance. So, while you should speak up and be firm in your opinions, you need to be open to other perspectives and remind yourself you don’t always have the answers.

Pay attention to how you’re feeling. If you’re having a bad day, try not to take it out on your teammates. If you need to get something off your chest, limit your venting to only your closest friend or two. Take time to validate your own feelings, but then move on and take positive action.

CONSIDER HOW YOU COMMUNICATE

Communication is a hotbed for challenges, and 27% are annoyed by poor communication from their teammates, according to the LLC study. In particular, people are annoyed by these behaviors:

• Poor grammar 76%
• Excessive use of exclamation points in written communication 52%
• Interrupting 38%
• Too much talking 35%
• Oversharing 26%
• Gossiping 25%

Reflect on your communication style and be aware of how you can improve. Be yourself, but also be sensitive to your audience. If you’re speaking with a close friend at work and trust each other with more confidence, great. But manage the amount of sharing you do with your more casual acquaintances.

If you struggle to articulate your ideas in a compelling and concise way, consider additional training or coaching. You can also solicit feedback from others to understand how to up your communication game.

CONSIDER YOUR USE OF JARGON 

Few things are more irritating than excessive jargon, especially when it comes from colleagues. According to the LLC study, these are the phrases people don’t want to hear:

• New normal
• Circle back
• Touch base
• Piggybacking
• Pivot
• Peel back the onion
• Get your ducks in a row
• Moving forward/going forward
• Sync up

Also, be aware of discussions about culture—another thing people are tired of hearing about. Referring to coworkers as family which is also frustrating to 60% of people in the study.

When you think well, it is typically reflected in your speech, and you can express yourself in more creative and less pithy ways. If you’re unsure whether you use annoying phrases, ask a coworker to listen and give you input.

DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF 

Ultimately, it’s all about giving thought to what frustrates the people around you and reflecting on how you can be more effective in relating to others. It is crucial, however, that you do this in moderation and don’t obsess or go overboard. People also value authenticity, and if you’re following a rule book in every interaction, it’ll slow you down, undermine your confidence, and be off-putting to others.

Like so many things, it’s a balance. Seek to be your best and improve over time, but also be yourself and show up with your quirks and imperfections while allowing others to do the same. A positive work experience is significantly influenced by people who are civil, welcoming, and open to others. While you should seek to be less annoying, you should also learn to be less annoyed.

Tracy Brower is a sociologist focused on work-life and fulfillment. She is a vice-president at Steelcase and the author of two books, Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work: A Guide For Leaders and Organizations and The Secrets to Happiness at Work: How to Choose and Create Fulfillment in Your Work