7 Useful Strategies To Handle Difficult People At Work or Home

handle difficult people

In the office, do you meet people or rather need to collaborate with someone who is difficult to work with? That very person can make you feel frustrated to the height of infinity that you might even land up screaming or just pulling your hair out at wit’s end! A difficult co-worker or family member can really drain your energy and snatch away your peace of mind. You often lose focus on the task in hand instantly and your mood remains tense all the time. Well, the good news is there are effective proven strategies to handle such difficult people at work or home. Let us take a look at them below and keep the stress at bay. 




Strategy 1: Dump the temper 

 

handle difficult people

Yes, there is no point showing your temper and throwing tantrums around. The other person will be the last person to cooperate you after this showdown. The trick here is to do the opposite- stay calm. Those who are cool are in control always and invokes more respect and trust. Ask yourself this question- would you like to work with someone always on the edge or someone who is centred and focused?

When the other person sees this sense of stillness in you, there will be an urge to pay attention and listen. 




Strategy 2:  Be all ears to understand and watch

 

handle difficult people

There can absolutely be no reason that someone at work is being difficult with you just because he/she enjoys being difficult to work with. You need to stop and see the underlying reason for the behavior. There has to be something that is motivating the person to behave in such a way. Identifying the trigger is half the work done. So, pause, listen to understand. Both of you can reach a consensus and subsequently embark on a healthy working relationship post a talk. 

Strategy 3:  Seek perspective from others

 

handle difficult people

There is a high chance that other co-workers have experienced the same conduct from that person. Ask them about their experiences and share yours as well. You might learn how they deal with that specific co-worker and gather some golden advice in the midst of your conversation. 




Strategy 4:  Respect works 

respect

There is a saying- do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Yes, treat them with respect as it mostly works when trying to handle difficult people. In fact, this quality of respecting others is a powerful weapon that works in both professional and professional relationships. No one likes to be treated with disrespect. So, keep this in mind when you are interacting with the other person. Just because someone stoops down to a lowly behavior, this does not mean you do the same. Remember, strategy number one- ditch the temper and stay cool. The other person will notice this and later will be ashamed of speaking to you in a disrespectful manner. 




Strategy 5: Focus on “do-able” actions 

handle difficult people

 

Most of the time, difficult co-workers are angry with something that might have been our fault. For instance, failure to make a report in time, an action that might have invoked a reprimand from the boss etc. So, in such a case, there is no point justifying what had happened, the trick here is to proceed to the next step. Focus on what can be done so that you can bury the hatchet and start afresh with work in a cordial manner. 

Strategy 6:  Ignore as much as you can

handle difficult people

 

If you have already tried everything possible and the person is just not willing to be receptive, the next practical and simplest step to take is ignore. You have applied everything possible but if nothing works, just limit your interactions with the co worker to as much as needed. Now, this might not be feasible if that person plays a critical role in your work so proceed to our last strategy tip below-




Strategy 7: Escalation to higher authorities 

Escalate

If that person has a vital role to play in your work and still refuses to cooperate, you have no choice left but to talk to your manager. This is your trump card but only exercise it when everything else on your part fails. Make sure you do not exercise this strategy all the time or else your manager will assume you are incapable of managing your own problems at work. This can become a blot on your performance records. 

Therefore, the next time, you encounter a difficult person at work, keep the above strategies in mind. Use them and see how dealing with such a person becomes a breeze.

Best of luck in your journey to handle difficult people with the above statergies!




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