How to Deal with Difficult People

Difficult people can be a challenging problem. In every workplace, you will have difficult co-workers. Dealing with difficult co-workers, bosses, customers, clients, and friends is a skill worth perfecting. Dealing with difficult situations at work is challenging, yet rewarding. It might be possible to avoid the first or second difficult people you met, how about the third, fifth, or tenth person you encounter?

Here are skills to equip yourself with on how to deal with difficult people.

Be calm

Losing your temper and flaring out isn’t the best way. Someone calm is seen as being in control, centred, and more respectable. Would you prefer to work with someone who is predominantly calm or someone who is always on edge? Well, when the person you are dealing with sees that you are calm, you will start getting their attention.

Appreciate the person’s intentions

There is always a reason for everyone’s reaction. I believe that no one is difficult for the sake of being difficult. Even when it may seem that the person is just out to get you, there is always some underlying reason that is motivating them to act that way. Try to identify the person’s trigger; what is making them act in that manner? What is stopping them from cooperating with you? How can you help to meet the needs and resolve the situation?

Seek for advice

In all likelihood, your colleagues, friends, and family must have experienced similar situations in some way or another. They will be able to see things from a different perspective and offer a different solution to the situation. Seek them out, share your experience and listen to their opinion. You might find some golden advice amidst the conversation.    

Focus on actionable step

Sometimes, you may be accused wrongly or put in a dilemma by your difficult colleagues, such as not receiving a piece of work they promised to give or being wrongly held responsible for something you didn’t do. However, whatever the situation is, acknowledge that the situation has already occurred. Rather than harp on what you cannot change, focus on the actionable steps you can take to forward yourself in the situation. 

Air your perspective 

Sometimes, difficult people are being resistant because they think you are just being difficult with them. Therefore, letting your intention known to them can help the situation. Letting them in on the reason behind your actions, and involving them in what is happening will enable them to empathize with the situation. 

Ignore 

If you have done everything within your means and the person is still not being receptive, the best way might be to ignore it. Get on your daily tasks and interface with the person only when necessary.

Report to a higher authority 

When you have tried everything and all failed or the person still not being friendly, then report to a higher authority. This is not encouraging but considered appropriate when all means have been exhausted. Try to optimize this option in other not to appear incapable of handling your problems in front of your employer. 

For this and much more Information relating to employability skills, employment opportunities, career advancement, and entrepreneurship development; Join our Telegram and WhatsApp groups, and also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.