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Being an Office Olympian is not necessarily a positive: A recent survey for Office Team found that almost half of people think employees are more competitive with their co-workers than they were 10 years ago.

So the staffing service identified five types of workplace "competitors" that take it too far and offered tips for working with them effectively.

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<B>The Pole Vaulter</B>

This person jumps to nab all of the high-profile assignments, leaving the less visible work to everyone else. To get the plum projects, proactively make your interests known. Volunteer for key assignments and acquire hard-to-find skills that make you indispensable.

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<B>The Boxer</B>

This worker has a jab for everyone -- whether it's a snide remark during a staff meeting or a sarcastic e-mail. Don't succumb to this person's negativity. Remain professional when interacting with them, and try to work out your differences. If the behavior doesn't stop, alert your manager or human resources department to the situation.

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<B>The Sprinter</B>

This person tries to curry favor by working quickly -- even if the results are sloppy. Don't cut corners to compete with this individual. Instead, become known for delivering quality work.

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<B>The Gymnast</B>

This employee bends and twists the facts, sometimes taking credit for others' work. When collaborating with this colleague, be sure to share your original ideas and contributions with your manager. Document the designation of duties and other critical conversations to avoid finger-pointing down the line.

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<B>The Marathoner</B>

This person can go the full distance when it comes to spending time at the water cooler, sharing rumors with anyone who will listen. Although it can be useful to have a sense of the political undercurrents in your firm, avoid associating closely with office gossips, and don't share sensitive information with them.

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