By Jean Hollands

It takes courage to call a colleague on his or her problems at work. Most folks with bad habits take an average of seven interventions before they actually seek help. Compulsive behaviors such as perfectionism are complicated because there are usually positive byproducts from the habit.

We are often rewarded for addictive behaviors, especially when we work in a “results first” company. A venture capitalist friend admitted that he would rather hire a workaholic, driven, addictive personality because that person would put the company first. It’s only later, sometimes much later, but always inevitable, that those driven employees either burn themselves out or burn their colleagues out.

Following are a few suggestions for dealing with a problematic co-worker.

• Name the problem. Try, “John, your stress is getting us all down. When you are in your harried place, I feel abused by your language and your attacking style.”

• Set your limits. Try, “The next time you talk to me in that demanding and abusive way again, I will have to walk out of the building.”

Or, “If you are late for your reports, Jeff, I can’t make excuses for you any longer. I know you do not have a legitimate reason to be late, and I resent the lies you ask me to tell.”

• Describe consequences and rewards: “If this behavior persists, I will have to report you, talk to your manager or suggest a termination (depending on your relationship with this employee).

Or, “If you do change this behavior, I will be able to work for you with more confidence and trust, and, therefore, I will be much more productive.”

• Ask for an intervention: “Bob, I’m worried about you. I think you may have a serious problem, and, though you may think it is not any of my business, your behavior on the job is causing a problem for me. I’d like to suggest some outside resource to you, or perhaps a class or even a recovery program” (if appropriate).

Jean Hollands, CEO, Growth & Leadership Center, and author of “Silicon Syndrome and Optimistic Organizations, is a management coach and corporate team-builder. Write to GLC, 1451 Grant Road, Mountain View 94040.