TIPS TO HANDLE THESE 4 TYPES OF DIFFICULT CO-WORKERS

We humans are social creatures who love to work and be surrounded by our clones, people who are just like us. But when reality strikes, we realize that we aren’t magicians to metamorph other into clones and that difficult people are prevalent around us. But are ready to confront them at our workplace?

At some point of time, all of us have to deal with someone who is difficult and toxic. Your efforts must not allow these difficult people and personalities to create difficulty within workplaces. As we spend most of our waking hours at work, you fully deserve to deal with such matters in a way that gives you a peace of mind. Let these people not hurt your career. If none of the above steps help you then avoidance is a viable option in some circumstances.

A friendly and supportive work environment is what we all dream off. But this doesn’t happen to everyone. Some of us are unfortunate enough to face some worse experiences through our peers. A bad co-worker can make your otherwise difficult life worse.

Can I change them? No

Should I ignore them? Yes. No. Maybe

Unsure how to deal with them. Let’s help you with some tips. But first, let’s understand four difficult people you may have to face at the workplace.

Four Types of Difficult People at Workplace

• The ‘Attackers’

These are people who intervene with their ideas while you make your point. They will make your idea look less thoughtful. They try to score points with the boss by making points against yours instead of focusing on the topic.

Tips to handle:

Never stop yourself from suggesting great ideas, no matter how toxic co-workers you have. If you get interrupted or attacked in a meeting then try to bring back the focus to the topic of discussion. Give a shot by resolving the matters and asking them what steps can be taken to start a better relationship.

If you feel that things are going above your control, then seek help.

• The ‘Resentful’

These kinds of people will envy whatever you have. A resentful coworker will want what you possess. Your achievements can make things worse for them as well you. These envious coworkers can also be attackers.

Tips to handle:

Try to be less communicative to these people. If you wish to solve the matters, then give it a shot by being friendly for better workplace conditions. You can say that you want that both of us should have a peaceful and healthy working environment. If they do not change, then leave it there.

These are the types of co-workers who are insecure about themselves. You can encourage them to find a project that works our best for them or try helping them find a skill to keep things interesting for them. These acts of yours will ensure you are trying to be supportive and expecting them to be the same. But if things go beyond your control, then escalate the matter to your HR.

• The ‘Bully’

Just as you had bullies in your school and college, there are coworkers who can be intimidating to you. An intimidating boss is different from an intimidating coworker. The latter has the new-recognized and ‘made-up’ power over you, that he/she thinks they can embarrass or hurt you.

Tips to handle:

Train your mind to respond assertively to these bullies. Being angry with them will not resolve the matter. Mould yourself to become more assertive than angry. Stand up for yourself and do not tolerate them in silence. Create a physical barrier and keep distance from these coworkers. Having proof of their wrong attitudes towards you during your interactions such as an electronic record can be useful, if you wish to approach the HR in this regard. 

• The ‘Passives’

These are the kind of coworkers who remain passive while letting others do all the hard work. You may have helped them during a project, after which they are likely to take advantage of you every next time they need help. This can spoil your workflow and lead you to lack behind at your own projects.

Tips to handle:

The only way to deal with these self-centered coworkers is by being open in communication. Learn to say NO. Tell them that you are busy and not ready to help as you are unable to meet your deadlines.  Suggest others whom they can seek out for help.

Bonus tips to deal with these difficult people at your workplace

• Never try to change them

Trying to change the difficult people around you will never work. This act will make them worse for you to deal. So stop trying to make an attacker more calm, a resentful more positive, a bully more humble and a passive one more active.

• Talk to them. Understand them

Again this is a step to deal with all kinds of people around you. With difficult people around, you must always be more open to them with a language that makes them feel valuable. You can also let them talk and be all ears, so that they can feel relaxed and more open around you.

• Never tolerate toxicity

Such people can be the cause of various negative feelings and emotions that you may be experiencing like depression, anxiousness, worthlessness, and unhappiness.

As said by Epictetus “Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them.”