subject: How To Deal With Difficult People In The Workplace [print this page] Ah people. As a human race we are a complicated lot. Some people are just naturally nice and would not hurt a fly. Others are deliberately difficult. And others still can make your life difficult without actually knowing it. You may even be seen as a difficult person at work without realising it. Personalities can clash, and we might like some people more than others. But we are not talking about a personality clash here. Managing difficult people is concerned with people that actually make life difficult for all.
Dealing with difficult people at work is a skill that can be learned. How to deal with difficult people at work or even in our personal lives requires some understanding of the human mind and some practical tips.
Human resources professionals have been dealing with difficult people for years and know the best way to deal with difficult people in the work place. There are effective and professional ways to deal with the situations and engaging the help of a human resources company may just give you the support you need.
Profile of a difficult person
Well, this can vary from work place to work place. What I might consider a difficult person, you do not mind so much. So it might say more about me than them. But when there is someone actually making life difficult at work, then we need to work out how to deal with it. There are the non harmful people, such as the colleague that just talks a lot and makes it hard for you to get through your work load. And at the other end of the spectrum there are difficult people who can be quite mean, bully others and are very unpleasant to be around.
The complaining culprit
One type of difficult person is the colleague that always complains. They make life hard for everyone else in the work place. Some people will just complain about everything and this negativity can be hard for everyone else. You could try changing the subject, or pointing out the positives. Or you could just offer them some sympathy and agree with them.
Jealous journey
Some people can be very envious of you or another colleague for whatever reason and end up on a jealousy journey that can lead to nastiness. It could be a professional jealousy, because you got a promotion or pay rise or new desk. Or it could be a personal jealousy, perhaps they like your hair, or want your car, or just feel jealous of you in some way. Try to carry on as usual. Maintain your normal relationship and try not to buy into the jealousy. Try to avoid them is you can, and do not go down to their level.
Lazy is lousy
If someone in your work place is consistently lazy, this can really affect team morale and make the lives of others much more stressful as they pick up the extra work load. We are not talking about the person who is just having an off day, or is perhaps going through some personal issues affecting their work but who is usually a team player. Here, we are referring to the person who time and time again avoids work, does the minimum possible and never accepts responsibility. In this case, you simply have to stand up to them and tell them you cannot take on any more work and that it is their responsibility. Set deadlines and call them on it. It may be that they just do not have good time management skills in which case you can help them. But do not be manipulated into doing their work for them.
No matter what has caused the issue or who the person is, managing difficult people is a skill that can be developed. Dealing with difficult people at work is a lifelong thing, as new people join the company, and people change jobs. A human resources professional can show you how to deal with difficult people in the workplace and put in place strategies and support for everyone involved. People will be people, with their unique blend of personalities and managing people is a skill of good leaders and managers.
