Some people are so competitive on the job that they’ll do just about anything to get ahead. And few things can wreak havoc at work like a colleague who seems friendly but secretly tries to make you look bad. What do you do when you find you have a frenemy at the gate? Following are some tips:

Call their bluff. A frenemy’s behavior can often catch you off guard. For example, say you find out a new designer you’ve trained and taken out to lunch took full credit for a project in which you did half the work. Your best course of action in such a circumstance is to have a private, straightforward conversation with him or her. Tell the person exactly how you feel and listen to the response. Is the designer genuinely apologetic or defensive? Even though confronting the coworker may not change his or her way of operating, it will let your frenemy know you’re not an easy target.

Remain professional. If you’ve been burned by someone, it may be tempting to give the person a taste of his or her own medicine. But try to behave in a professional, tactful manner while also keeping your guard up. As with gossip or office politics, it’s better to remain above the fray as much as possible. If you get involved in a tit-for-tat game, you can damage your credibility.

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Posted by Megan