Six Traits of Coworkers Who Are More Charisma Than Common Sense

Charisma can be so healthy and helpful in the workplace. It’s the trait that helps to rally support and keep everyone feeling positive about their projects and meeting milestones. When you have charisma, people are drawn to you, want to work with you and are more likely to be influenced by you. It's a powerful tool.

But in some cases, charisma can mask low productivity. We've all had the charming coworker who is more of a stand-up comedian than a sit-down-and-work team member—and we know how frustrating that can be!  

So how do you know if that oh-so-likable coworker is going to be more charm than substance? Here are six signs of OTT charisma and how to deal with it. 

1. They’re a Fountain of Funny Stories 

You know that coworker who just seems to be "on" from the second they walk into the workplace in the mornings? They’re so much fun to be around because they always have a witty story or  joke to share. But you notice that they tend to hog the spotlight and send your conversations spiraling off topic. Charming, yes. Productive? Not so much.

Why they do it: For some personality types, being upbeat and entertaining can be their way of contributing to the team. They keep everyone in a good mood, which is great—as long as it doesn't get in the way of getting things done.

​​How to deal with them: 

• Acknowledge their contribution before directing their attention onto pressing issues. For example, you might say: “I love the positive energy you’re bringing to this meeting, but right now we have to cover everything on our agenda.” 
• Encourage them to use their positive energy for morale-boosting activities so they have a healthy and appropriate outlet for it. Maybe they can be in charge of organizing the upcoming Christmas party or outdoor team-building event! 

2. They’re Everyone’s BFF 

Someone who’s highly focused on being best buddies with everyone in the workplace might be fun to have around, but are they genuinely being a support system for their team or is it just a way to avoid working? If they're spending more time chatting and socializing than actually offering to take some of the work off your plate, it may be a sign that they value popularity over productivity.

Why they do it: Someone who tries to be super-friendly with everyone might fear confrontation or rejection. This could cause them to prioritize relationships instead of tasks, without realizing they might be overstepping boundaries. 

How to deal with them:

• Set some firm but polite boundaries. When they put you on the spot by drilling you with personal questions or they go off on a tangent by telling you about their life outside of work, gently tell them that you’ve got to tackle your workload. Or, check in with them about how their deadlines are going as a hint to end the conversation.  
• Know what topics you’re comfortable chatting about. While you don’t have to share highly personal information with your coworkers if you don’t want to, sharing a little about yourself is a good way to avoid coming across as cold or unapproachable. If the conversation becomes too heavy or personal, steer it onto these safer topics. 

3. They Overpromise and Underdeliver

Someone with lots of charm might be skilled at using their words to make it seem like they’re confident and capable. The problem is they tend to overestimate their ability or resources, such as having enough time for projects. When they lack follow through, this can cause stress and other disruptions in the team. 

Why they do it: When someone over-promises, they might be trying to impress their coworkers—or they could honestly believe they can achieve more than what they’ve set out to do. Maybe their time management skills are still a work in progress or they’re not good at saying “no” because they don't want to disappoint anyone.  

How to deal with them:

• Focus on details about their project. When this person tries to overpromise, it’s good to ask them questions about how they plan to tackle the details of the project to keep them on track. 
• Offer some support. While you don’t want to take on their responsibilities, it can help to reduce their stress of biting off more than they can chew by offering to give them support, such as by helping them figure out a practical and realistic schedule. 

4. They Assign, Not Assist

A person who uses more charisma than common sense might always try to charm others into doing the work they don’t want to do by delegating tasks. A classic example is someone who brags about being busy before asking you to pick up the slack so they don’t have to take on more work.

Why they do it: Your coworker might try to delegate to hide their lack of confidence or skills. Or, they might have their self-worth tied up in the illusion of being "busy and important", so they delegate tasks to maintain this image instead of actually contributing to the team. 

How to deal with them:

• Prioritize your tasks. You want to get through your workload without having to take on your co workers' responsibilities, so tell them that you first need to concentrate on your urgent deadlines. 
• Set some boundaries, but offer help in other ways. For example, you could say, “I can give you some pointers, but I can’t complete it” or “I’m quite swamped with work, but let me know if you’d like me to review it for you once you’ve made progress.” 

5. They’re Big Idea Chasers 

Focusing on the next big exciting idea is exciting and can boost morale in the workplace by giving everyone something to work towards. However, some people are fueled by ideas instead of doing the work to execute them! An example is the Influence DISC personality style. They’re characterized by their optimism and enthusiasm in the workplace, but they’re also easily distracted and struggle to follow through on their tasks, which zaps momentum. 

Why they do it: Exciting new ideas make them feel inspired and creative! This can cause them to struggle with the more mundane tasks of a project or cause them to lose enthusiasm when the novelty of having a fun idea fades. 

How to deal with them: 

• Lead by example. When someone’s surrounded by coworkers who are always reaching their goals, this can influence them to stay motivated on their tasks. So, be one of those people! 
• Suggest breaking large tasks or goals into smaller ones. You could tell the person something like, “This concept has huge potential, but why don’t we break it down into smaller steps so we can make progress?” This will ensure the idea has more structure and won’t derail (or delay) the entire team.  

6. They’re All Smiles and No Stress 

It’s great to have someone on the team who has an enthusiastic “can do” attitude. No task or project is too big for them and they always make their coworkers and bosses feel confident that they’re taking everything in their stride. The problem? They might be so intent on trying to be optimistic that they gloss over real issues that need to be resolved. 

Why they do it: They might be feeling insecure in their role, which could cause them to try to appear like everything’s fine and that they’ve got everything covered. Or, they might have perfectionist tendencies that cause them to chase their goals while putting blinkers on so they avoid any potential challenges or pitfalls along the way. 

How to deal with them: 

• When frustrated by their “everything is fine” approach, ask specific questions about the project and any potential pitfalls you envision. This can help you to steer the conversation to actionable problem-solving. 
• Openly express your concerns. If you’re worried about certain aspects of your role in the project, speak to them about what’s on your mind. It might help to use data and facts to back up your feelings. 

Final Words

When it comes down to it, a steady supply of charisma is a real asset in the workplace. But like everything, you can have too much of a good thing. If you’re feeling weighed down by your coworkers’ charm, don’t be afraid to speak up and offer constructive ways for them to handle their charisma in a more balanced way. A charming, likable team member who delivers the goods? Now that’s a recipe for success!