Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their very own.
Though the vacation season brings individuals collectively and generally is a time to get again collectively and benefit from the firm of household, pals and colleagues, it may also be a time of nice stress. That is very true for introverts or those that wish to keep away from battle. In a gaggle of dynamic personalities, not everybody can all the time get alongside.
Generally spending a couple of hours with individuals can really feel like a couple of weeks, and that dynamic is multiplied when there is a narcissist within the group. They might appear well-intentioned, however deep down they thrive on creating chaos and battle. Who needs to take care of that over the vacations?
If this is a matter you’ve got handled previously, or in case you see your self tackling it sooner or later, it is time to get accustomed to Grey Rocking.
Associated: 3 Causes Narcissists Are Unimaginable to Consider in Your Group
What’s Grey Rocking and when can you employ it?
Grey Rocking is known as after an object that the majority discover boring. The idea is that when somebody you wish to keep away from interacts with you, attempt to turn out to be like a grey rock. Make your self as uninteresting and boring as doable. This shall be unattractive to somebody with narcissistic traits and they’ll transfer on to interacting with another person on the gathering.
Narcissists attempt to work together with individuals who present persona and are conscious of their calls for. When somebody poses as a metaphorical grey rock, the narcissist will notice that they can’t manipulate the individual as a result of they haven’t any energy over the boring persona being placed on show.
The Grey Rock technique can also be helpful towards bullies, together with within the office.
Additionally Learn: The 4 Most Poisonous Individuals At Work – And How To Deal With Them
Does the Grey Rock technique work?
Initially, it is very important perceive you can solely management your self. You’ll not change the narcissist or their outlook on life. Nonetheless, this technique may help you keep away from them.
If used correctly, grey rocking works for some time. By way of avoiding narcissists and poisonous individuals, the tactic may be very efficient for all the explanations talked about above. Individuals who exhibit the adverse traits of a narcissist or bully thrive on interacting with individuals who reply to their phrases each visually and verbally, permitting them to control their conduct. When somebody is a grey rock, they aren’t fascinating or exhibiting the suggestions these adverse individuals are attempting to realize. This may make a narcissist sad and they’ll transfer on to another person.
Nonetheless, it is usually vital to notice that the Grey Rock technique isn’t a panacea. It is only a technique to keep away from poisonous, adverse individuals. The tactic may also be much less profitable if overused.
See additionally: Acknowledge and Work with Narcissistic Leaders
What Are Some Advantages of the Grey Rock Technique?
On the subject of the vacations and interacting with household or co-workers, it is simply not doable to utterly keep away from the individuals you won’t discuss to the opposite 11 months of the yr. Due to this fact, grey rocking turns into helpful for retaining the peace and avoiding battle.
Different advantages of grey rocking embrace much less stress, much less anxiousness, feeling empowered, higher emotional well being, higher psychological well being, and the belief you can set boundaries.
What Are Some Antagonistic Results of the Grey Rock Technique?
Regardless that Grey Rocking is a method for use to keep away from poisonous individuals or awkward and adverse conditions, there are some doable unwanted effects of utilizing the technique.
Grey swings can result in loneliness and withdrawal if overused. Though that is goal-directed conduct, it ends in much less interplay with individuals. This may result in adverse psychological well being penalties. It is vital to concentrate on this truth – an excessive amount of isolation can result in loneliness and melancholy.
And whereas Grey Rocking might be profitable moderately, in case you use the technique too many occasions towards the identical individual, she may notice what is going on on. This might result in the alternative impact of what you are in search of – the bully may notice that they really have energy over your life as a result of they’re forcing you to behave in a different way than you usually would.
For those who’re utilizing the Grey Rock technique and end up experiencing adverse psychological results, be sure you search skilled assist.
Associated: Your narcissism is killing your staff’ productiveness. keep away from the pitfalls.
What if the Grey Rock technique does not work?
There are a number of alternate options to avoiding individuals, conversations, and conditions that an individual does not wish to be in. The Grey Rock technique is one technique, however you may attempt different methods as nicely.
You might attempt to keep away from the individual or group of individuals, though this shall be particularly tough through the holidays. In case you are pressured to be across the narcissistic individual, you may attempt setting clear boundaries for the dialog, being assertive, and possibly even confronting the narcissist’s conduct if the state of affairs requires it.
There are additionally dangers to those methods, simply as there are dangers to utilizing the grey rocking technique. Use no matter technique you’re feeling most closely fits your state of affairs and the dynamic personalities you may need to take care of this vacation season (and into the longer term).
See additionally: Take care of a Poisonous Co-worker