Why is it that when someone feels his job is in jeopardy, he reacts by viciously guarding his territory? I’ve seen this happen more than once in the office. Someone feels threatened and consequently becomes uncooperative, throwing up roadblocks at every turn. This person becomes more and more difficult to work with, and thus begins the death spiral.
I just don’t get that at all. Why isn’t the person bending over backward, going above and beyond to prove his value? To make others seek him out and WANT to work with him? To prove to his boss and his customers and the HR guy that the company really, really needs him?
What would you do in that situation? Would you hold your ground and guard it with bared teeth? Or would you plant a garden? It seems like a no-brainer to me.
One final thought: why wait until your job is in jeopardy? Better still that it never comes into question.
I think that being effectual in your job often involves interacting with other people, some of whom may not have your best interests at heart. These people are often all smiles but are secretly looking to capitalize on any chink in your armor. Accurate or not, people often fear this and so, when in distress, they circle their wagons. Pulling your defenses in tighter is a natural, even if counterproductive, human response.