#Leadership : 31% Of Execs Say A Colleague Has Tried To Make Them Look Bad…So What’s the Best Way to Respond when a CoWorker Sabotages You?

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“Some Professionals are So Competitive that They’ll Do Just about Anything to Get Ahead,” says Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group, in a press release. “Being able to handle challenging or difficult coworkers—and maintaining healthy working relationships—is  crucial for career success, particularly in environments that require a great deal of collaboration.”

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If you Think you’re Having a Bad Day at Work, Consider This: Almost 1 in 3 (31%) of Executives say a Colleague has Tried to make them Look Bad on the Job, according to a survey by The Creative Group.  The good news is that this is an improvement from the 50% of execs who answered in the affirmative in 2008. The bad news, of course, is that this still happens with some frequency.

“Some professionals are so competitive that they’ll do just about anything to get ahead,” says Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group, in a press release. “Being able to handle challenging or difficult coworkers—and maintaining healthy working relationships—is  crucial for career success, particularly in environments that require a great deal of collaboration.”

So what’s the best way to respond when a coworker sabotages you? According to the survey, 41% feel it’s best to confront the person directly, and another 40% believe notifying the offender’s manager or human resources is the best route.

Here’s what the experts have to say:

Take a moment. Your first inclination might be to act right away, but your best bet is to give yourself some time to cool down. “Avoid reacting or responding in the heat of the moment,” Domeyer says. “Only when you are calm and collected should you ask to have a private conversation with your coworker. Emailing or instant messaging about a sensitive subject can easily lead to misinterpretation.”

Reflect on what happened. “What were your colleague’s intentions?” Domeyer asks. “Did you play a role in the problem? Before broaching the subject with anyone, try to identify the person’s motives and any steps you could have taken to avoid the situation.”

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Keep it clean. “Keep the discussion focused on how your colleague’s actions have made you feel rather than hurling accusations, and give him or her a chance to respond,” Domeyer says.

Listen closely. “Pay close attention to what your colleague has to say,” Domeyer says. “Even if you cannot see eye to eye, you’ll get a better sense of how your coworker thinks, which can help you predict future behavior.”

Stay positive. Keep your emotions in check. “Toxic people like to be around people who fuel the negativity,” says Stacia Pierce, a career expert and the CEO of Ultimate Lifestyle Enterprises based in Orlando. “When you keep a happy disposition, they will usually overlook you as someone to spew venom with.”

Document it. “It is so critical to document everything this person is doing,” says Jeanine Swatton, director of developer evangelism at Yodlee Interactive. “This detailed record keeping is extremely helpful if the behavior continues. You have more credibility.”

 Skip the payback. When you’ve been burned by a coworkers, it’s tempting to plot your revenge. “But the ability to handle difficult coworkers is vital for career success,” Domeyer says. “Try to behave in a professional, tactful manner while also keeping your guard up. If you get involved in a tit-for-tat game, you’ll likely damage your reputation and credibility.”

Recruit help if necessary. “Share the situation with a trusted colleague such as a direct manager or HR,” says Todd Horton, founder and CEO of employee recognition company KangoGift and long-time human resources veteran. “While it may feel odd to bring in other parties, the goal is to ensure that everyone has a productive environment.”

Don’t gossip. “Only address the issue with a manager or supervisor,” says Felicia Kinlock, a social worker and confidence coach for Millennial women. “Avoid talking about this person and his or her sabotaging ways with other colleagues. It spreads workplace gossip and makes you appear immature.”

— Follow Kate Ashford on Twitter.

Forbes.com | August 26, 2015 | Kate Ashford