How to Deal with Difficult People
June 26th 2011

If you’ve ever had to deal with a difficult person you know what it’s like, when you can’t put your finger on precisely what they do to be difficult, but they escalate issues unnecessarily and make your job more difficult.

Learning to avoid or skillfully interact and work with people like this is a great tool for the work place and in any other setting.

Maybe the person is over qualified for their position and have a bitter attitude towards their work, or they are obnoxious, unruly, lazy or gossip too much.

Either way there are some things you can do to make your job a little easier.

Step by Step


Learn something about the person, find out what makes them tick, find some commonalities, this can make things easier.


Realize you can talk to your boss about this if this person is bent on making your work environment unworkable, if this person is your boss, you can look to someone above your boss or the workers union.


Speak with them. Don’t seem confrontational, just let them know you think they are someone who you would enjoy working with if only there were no obstacles in your way, recognize their value, and they will hopefully appreciate this and propose getting over your differences together.


Difficult people most likely are making life difficult for others too, so see whether you can present your case to the boss with a group of people feeling
the same thing, so it makes it easier on the head of your department or boss to take action.



  Tips



Don’t be distracted. Re-enforce your value for the company, don’t let a disrespectful or difficult person affect the way you do your job. Be professional above all else, never let this come into question.


Be civil, curtious, relaxed helpful and firm and you’ll always be seen as a classy person who is of value to the work place. This way nobody can create a wall between you or anyone else.




Notes



•If you are not forced to work together, staying away from this person and not giving them a finger (because they’ll take your arm) is a good way to keep them at arms distance.

•If you feel a confrontation with this person will end badly then decide what to do based on what will make you happier int he long run.



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