The art of dealing with difficult people in modern times has literally managed to shoot itself to the annoying heights of becoming a necessity. Difficult people are all over the place and come in different shapes in size. Difficult people can range from a boss with an inexplicable temper to even a subordinate with an infuriating habit of not meeting deadlines. However, no matter the consistency in the occurrence of difficult people in the world today, it is for you to figure out how to get around them. It may not be easy as you would like it to be at first, but with a few tips and tricks, cracking difficult people can be as easy as eating a pie. Just remember to never ever turn your back or give up dealing with difficult people, because no matter where you go, you will have to encounter a considerable number of difficult people. Learn to live and read on to uncover few pointers on dealing with difficult people.
Dealing With Difficult People At Work
Identify Troublemakers
Identify the people who create trouble and steer clear of them. Troublemakers include colleagues who fail to fulfill commitments, criticize everyone possible, backstabbers, gossipers, control freaks, instigators, mockers, work shirkers, and dirty competitors. Difficult people at work also include the kinds who love to talk and never give others the chance to do the same. Staying away from these people is your safest bet; however not standing up for yourself is simply unadvisable.
Analyze Your Predicament
Meeting strange and difficult people at work may at first seem shocking, but you have to conjure strength enough to analyze your predicaments and may be even find a solution for them. Look around you and you may realize that you are not the only one facing problems when dealing with a particularly difficult colleague or boss. Make mental maps to help yourself get through the valley and onto the peak.
Beware The Boss
You are comparatively luckier if your difficult person at work is a colleague. However, if the difficult person at work is your boss, you may need help from the good Lord above. Most bosses are known to be control freaks and figuring them out can be extremely nerve-racking. Just ensure that you stay on your guard when dealing with your boss, because ending up in the bad books of the boss can even cost you your job.
Make A Move
Once you are done with indentifying the sources of trouble start taking measures to make things easier for yourself. Strive to get into the good books of difficult people. Make it a point to earn their respect. Usually difficult people are hard to please and when you work to meet their high standards, it will only help improve your standing as a working professional. If you think that a particularly difficult person is nursing a grudge against you, clear the air by initiating a peaceful confrontation. Apologize to a ‘difficult colleague’ if the fault is your own.
Privacy Matters Most
When initiating confrontations with difficult people you will simply have to make it a point to do so in private. Confronting a control-freak or a gossiper in front of your co-workers will not only place you in bad light, but will also prevent the difficult colleague from reacting honestly towards you. Remember, no one likes to have an argument in front of ten other people. Here it’s best to clear the air behind closed doors.
Stay Calm
When putting up with difficult people, make sure you stay calm at all times. Never let your emotions get the better of you because this will only reveal how weak a person you are. Staying calm, controlling your emotions and concealing your weaknesses is what you should be looking at.
