Dear Dr. Mimi- Ear-itated

,

Dear Dr. Mimi,
I have a colleague at work who I really like, but she repeats the same stories over and over again. How can I politely let her know that I don’t need to hear it for the third or fourth time? Sometimes her storytelling keeps me from completing my work. Other than that, she is a great co-worker and friend.
—Ear-itated


Dear Ear,
It is hard to listen to the same story repeatedly. When she starts to repeat her story, stop her and say, “Is this the time when …?” and repeat back what you think the story will be. If she continues to talk, you may have to let her know that you don’t have time to listen now as you have work to get done.
—Dr. Mimi

Written By

drmimi

  • Dear Dr. Mimi – Disturbed

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I have a coworker who keeps talking negatively to me and complains about their personal life. It’s very irritating. I’ve tried to act uninterested and hoped they would take the hint, but they keep talking to me when I am trying to work. What should I do? —Disturbed Dear Disturbed, We all have…

  • Dear Dr. Mimi – BabySitter

    Dear Dr. Mimi,My boss has me mentoring the new hire, even though I am not qualified, nor required, to train them. How do I tell my boss that I am not qualified to teach him? I feel like I’m a babysitter, and I am falling behind on my own work. What do I do? —Babysitter…

  • Strategies for Training New Employees

    Effective onboarding and training provides clarity, reduces confusion, and fosters early success. This helps new hires understand their roles and connects them to the company’s culture, values, and goals. Here are some key strategies. Create a Structured Onboarding Program. Provide a schedule, assign mentors or buddies, and introduce them to key systems and team members.…