Who They Are: Panhandler colleagues walk the line between performing at their job and hunting for constant recognition. They are time-stealing attention seekers desperate for continuous praise.

 

How to Identify Them: You'll find these gregarious¹ types carrying on loudly at happy hour. They are the sycophants² tailgating anyone who will toss them morsels³ of attention.

 

What to Watch Out For: At first, we are pleased when we meet panhandlers, because they are willing to go out of their way to do something for us, to demonstrate their loyalty⁴. But their loyalty shifts like a leaf in the wind. As soon as panhandlers find a better source of affirmation, they will kick you to the curb⁵, even in the middle of an important deadline.

 

How to Protect Yourself: Realize that panhandlers focus on praise the way addicts⁶ focus on drugs. To keep them on task, refrain from giving them praise until the very end of an assignment or project. The moment you start doling⁷ out the compliments is the moment you'll lose their attention.

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