Strive to be self sufficient.

Save so that you can be your own boss.

By God's grace I will be an employer of labour soon

Evaberry:
...

You dis gey ! Always writing ...

Most ppl dont know tribalism is everywhere in Nigeria, business, Office, Civil service, the three major tribes trying to exert their dominance over one another only the Niger deltans are welcoming in this aspect

lol

risingrainboll:
My team mates of five have these in common: Language and Religion. This is affecting my performance on the job as they often communicate in their local dialect, leaving me out. Sometimes, I am marginzlised in the process.
Also, my HOD (though of my religion) singles me out for errands such as buying him food even when I am seriouly busy.
What do I do as I always feel depressed over these each day I go to work? I am really worried. Please I need professional counsel.
Also, I think I might need a counselor/mentor. I feel I need someone to help me package myself and develop a professional deamenor.
Somebody HELP ME!

once he send you on an errand to buy food, poison that food of his and you will see a permanent change!

100% effective

Resign!

ThatIgboBoy:
Those your colleagues are yoruba muslims.

They cant do without speaking their ngbatiii ngbatiii in an office setting

NA WA FOR YOU OOO!!!!!

2. Learn to Speak that language

I am on my quest to learn Yoruba because it is the only other major language I don't know. So, I think you can do this do, try and learn their language because no matter how hard you try to impress your HOD, these people might keep getting in the way and might go as far as tarnishing your image. It is the human nature.



This is what you need @OP

risingrainboll:
.
My HOD shares the same religion with me but different language with that of my team mates.
Sorry, I want to keep my religion and other details discreet.
Honestly, I was doing fine in my former department. I never had to deal with team mates of similar background. It's sickening. Besides, my HOD's management style just depressesses me. I think the ride he gives to me is a contributing factor.
Moreso, I tried to learn the language by being friendly with my team mates and showing interest in it untill my intension was missunderstood and taken for granted. Had to stop. Just trying now to focus on my performance.

If he gives you a ride to work why then are you complaining of errands ?
It is only natural that your HOD gravitate towards you since you are relatively
close to him.

Also, why keep your religion private ?
Are your co-workers also in the dark and are relating to you
as member of the same religion ?

You just have to endure.

risingrainboll:
My team mates of five have these in common: Language and Religion. This is affecting my performance on the job as they often communicate in their local dialect, leaving me out. Sometimes, I am marginzlised in the process.
Also, my HOD (though of my religion) singles me out for errands such as buying him food even when I am seriouly busy.
What do I do as I always feel depressed over these each day I go to work? I am really worried. Please I need professional counsel.
Also, I think I might need a counselor/mentor. I feel I need someone to help me package myself and develop a professional deamenor.
Somebody HELP ME!

Do you work in a different state from yours? Then thats kinda not unexpected. Initially I was in your shoes, as a 'stranger' by all ramifications.
But if you play your cards well, you would be the go-to man in the organisation.
That's my story today.
#office politics

risingrainboll:
.
My HOD shares the same religion with me but different language with that of my team mates.
Sorry, I want to keep my religion and other details discreet.
Honestly, I was doing fine in my former department. I never had to deal with team mates of similar background. It's sickening. Besides, my HOD's management style just depressesses me. I think the ride he gives to me is a contributing factor.
Moreso, I tried to learn the language by being friendly with my team mates and showing interest in it untill my intension was missunderstood and taken for granted. Had to stop. Just trying now to focus on my performance.

I think you have pride issues. Have you heard about stooping to conquer?


Your HOD gives you ride and you're complaining that he sends you on errand?
Take advantage of this closeness snd stop winning.

On the contrary, I think your HOD likes you.

What you may be lacking is team working skills and interpersonal relationship skills.

People's behaviour should not affect your productivity unless they deliberately sabotage your effort.

Look at the mirror bro.

You don't need to tell me before i know they are YORUBA people. I faced this in Lagos when i was in first bank head office. Your best solution is to learn how to speak the language. You can do this within six months. you will be surprise how everything will turn around for you. best of luck

Coldplay007:


don't inform him of your discomfort over the errands oo.. you will be out of a job soon if you do...
Pally up to him.. run the errands like there is no other thing you would rather do.. make yourself indispensable to him..

Don't mind him

9japrof:


Chai if the OP actually does this and caught , then you join him as a colleague in crime..

Bros I have been in the office to know that ur HOD COULD be sending u on errands because he trust ur judgements and is safe with u handling his food.

Do not act foolish, you can only resent if he berates you in public and don't give u dignity else you are just fine.

What we have these days are boys who are not ready to serve but want to be boss

My initial thought was that he likes and trusts me until he started asking me to replace the water dispenser. Truth is, he is taking advantage of me. I gave him a step and he is taking a mile. I think it will be wrong for me to assume he will stop. Infact, I think I should expect more errands, leading to more frustration.
There was even a day he felt disasfied with what I bought him and he told me he would have asked me to eat the food had he not been hungry.
Since I am not happy, there is no need to indulge. Will end in frustration.

My opinion, try to make friends with either one of them or all of them and try to learn their language.

Ur happiness depend on u not ur coworkers.do ur things forgeting that they exist.if u believe in urself can make anything happen.

I like the op very much cuz he didn't intend to start both a Tribal and a religious war on nairaland..he deliberately left out names of both religion and tribe...just sought a clean advise...wish you well dear

Your major problem is low self confidence/ low self esteem. nothing more and nothing less.....That means you can't work in a place where u are the only black and the team mates got superiority complex..

Work on your self man...and remember u are not there to make friends.. u are there to work and get away...

As for your HOD, U have to revisit your job specification..if it specify that u run an errand or you do something like that, then do it... it does not matter how busy u are..

I still have to maintain that u are not there to make friends...Hit the ignore button at all time.. that will help u stay away from office gossip... Someone like me will thank God for that kinda work place because i hated Office gossip with all i got..

my case is not quite different from yours. when I got employed, 90%of my colleagues were Igbos including the boss. I was scared initially because I don't undastand Igbo. but gradually I started blending, at some point in time during meetings they'll start speaking Igbo. I almost quit. however I deviate a plan, I became more friendly, I sometimes speak the little Igbo I could grab. theyll laugh and ill laugh with them. things started changing drastically, now if I am not there meetings will not hold. language or religion should not be a professional yardstick. rather commitments, diligency and hardwork should be. (my experience)

OP listen to the advice of the wise ones on this topic, too much children here on NL.

UfuomaUN ThatIgboBoypost=60109643:


Yes, it's much worse with Muslims

Which one be Yoruba Muslims again

lol

this happens everywhere

not only in workplace but in education too

same tin happened to me in UNN while I was a first year student

everybody just can't stop speaking Igbo always leaving me out in every conversation, even the lecturers too but everything changed when I met that friend of mine who started cautioning and telling them to speak English

not their first though they just assume every student of UNN is Igbo

but now I can speak Igbo pretty well

Frenchfriez:

Do you work in a different state from yours? Then thats kinda not unexpected. Initially I was in your shoes, as a 'stranger' by all ramifications.
But if you play your cards well, you would be the go-to man in the organisation.
That's my story today.
#office politics

.
Honestly, I am in a different part of the country other than mine.
Could you share your strategy with me? Thanks

Your HOD is probably comfortable with you probably cos u are of same religion hence he dents you on errand especially buying him food.
Don't isolate yourself. Try and learn the language if you can. Mix up

risingrainboll:
My team mates of five have these in common: Language and Religion. This is affecting my performance on the job as they often communicate in their local dialect, leaving me out. Sometimes, I am marginzlised in the process.
Also, my HOD (though of my religion) singles me out for errands such as buying him food even when I am seriouly busy.
What do I do as I always feel depressed over these each day I go to work? I am really worried. Please I need professional counsel.
Also, I think I might need a counselor/mentor. I feel I need someone to help me package myself and develop a professional deamenor.
Somebody HELP ME!

risingrainboll:
My team mates of five have these in common: Language and Religion. This is affecting my performance on the job as they often communicate in their local dialect, leaving me out. Sometimes, I am marginzlised in the process.
Also, my HOD (though of my religion) singles me out for errands such as buying him food even when I am seriouly busy.
What do I do as I always feel depressed over these each day I go to work? I am really worried. Please I need professional counsel.
Also, I think I might need a counselor/mentor. I feel I need someone to help me package myself and develop a professional deamenor.
Somebody HELP ME!

so u are marginalized cos people are speaking their language? So because of u they shouldn't speak their language?were u employed 2 come and listen to peoples language or 2 come and work. People are living their lives jeje &u are worried. haven't u learnt anything from d diversity of Nigeria & Nigerians?so its when u have people who are like u religiously or culturally b4 u can work.they should asked these in ur interview b4 employing u whether u 4 get d work

You have to forget ur differences and be transparent, they will always tempt u but u ve to mingle with dem like you dnt care and always make dem laugh, u will be surprised dey will like you, and dont forget u ve to be hardworking o, if u r lazy u r on ur own

maxiuc:
I can relate that with the AfonjAs they are good at that

This happens to me severally but my 5yrs staying in Lagos wasn't a waste I pretend as if I don't hear their language but ignore their ass

My dear just focus on your career do your best and watch them marvel

Very annoying sets of human beings

E PAIN AM

The wisdom in keeping away religion and even the language in question out of this post makes me think you are above board. I understand how depressing it could be for you especially when aside differing languages there are ethinc and human insensitivity to it.

Since they are almost illetrates like you admitted, you shont expect any better.

It is really not any easy to learn languages at older age and in that manner but my admonition shall be that you just try harder to pick words and exist with them. Develop more interest in the language even outside the workplace. Love it like you want to speak it. It must not be from them or you cozying up to them to the point that they read meanings into it like you said.

It is a difficult work environment you are in. I know how it feels. Just mind the work and leave the workers and you could feel better.

bigpicture001:
I like the op very much cuz he didn't intend to start both a Tribal and a religious war on nairaland..he deliberately left out names of both religion and tribe...just sought a clean advise...wish you well dear

Thanks for your understanding.

risingrainboll:
My team mates of five have these in common: Language and Religion. This is affecting my performance on the job as they often communicate in their local dialect, leaving me out. Sometimes, I am marginzlised in the process.
Also, my HOD (though of my religion) singles me out for errands such as buying him food even when I am seriouly busy.
What do I do as I always feel depressed over these each day I go to work? I am really worried. Please I need professional counsel.
Also, I think I might need a counselor/mentor. I feel I need someone to help me package myself and develop a professional deamenor.
Somebody HELP ME!

Patience is the key. Nothing lasts forever. You are even lucky to be trusted to buy food for your boss. Do not relent in your official activities. You will thank me latter when you start reaping the fruits of being patient. I am talking from my personal experience. Mine is not different from your writeup here.