How to Deal with Difficult People: Strategies and Self-Care

Conflicts are a common occurrence in the workplace, and when you are forced to deal with difficult people, it can make resolving these issues even more challenging.

Whether it’s a coworker who constantly criticizes your work, a boss who micromanages every task, or a team member who never takes responsibility for their actions, learning how to effectively handle these situations is essential for maintaining a positive work environment.

Today, we provide more strategies to help you deal with difficult people at work. This includes adopting self-care practices at work that can help you cope, and recharge as needed.

How to Deal with Difficult People

When faced with a conflict, it’s important to remain calm and composed. Emotions can escalate a situation, making it harder to find a resolution. Before taking any action, take a few deep breaths, step back, and try to approach the situation with objectivity.

As you seek to deal with difficult people, also keep these other suggestions in mind:

• Listening is key to understanding the other person’s perspective. Give them the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings without interrupting. Active listening shows that you value their opinions and can help de-escalate tense situations.

• Clearly communicate your own thoughts and concerns using “I” statements to express how their behavior affects you. Focus on specific behaviors rather than personal attacks. Be assertive but respectful in your communication.

• Try to identify common goals or areas of agreement with the difficult person. Focusing on shared objectives can help create a sense of unity and collaboration, making it easier to work through differences.

• Establish clear boundaries with difficult people to protect yourself from ongoing conflicts. Communicate your expectations and consequences if the behavior persists. Consistently enforce these boundaries to maintain a healthy work dynamic.

• Instead of dwelling on the conflict itself, shift the focus towards finding solutions. Brainstorm together to identify practical ways to address the issue and prevent similar conflicts from arising in the future.

What to Do If You Can’t Resolve a Conflict on Your Own

If you’re unable to resolve the conflict on your own, consider involving a neutral third party, such as a HR representative or a mediator. Having an impartial facilitator can help facilitate a constructive conversation and reach a resolution.

Take Care of Yourself as You Deal with Difficult People

Dealing with difficult people can be emotionally draining.

Self-care at work can encompass various practices and behaviors that prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional well-being in the workplace.

This can be as simple as taking regular breaks to rest and recharge or practicing mindfulness or meditation to alleviate stress.

Get Your Copy of Self-Care All-in-One for Dummies

Other work-related self-care practices may include setting boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance, engaging in stretching exercises to relieve tension, seeking support from colleagues or supervisors when needed, and incorporating healthy eating habits and hydration into the workday.

Self-care at work involves advocating for your needs, practicing assertiveness, and seeking professional help if and when you experience persistent challenges.

How to Resolve Conflicts with Difficult People

Resolving conflicts with difficult people at work requires patience, empathy, and effective communication.

By approaching these situations with a positive attitude and a willingness to find common ground, you can navigate conflicts more effectively and foster a more harmonious work environment for yourself and your colleagues.

Don’t forget to give yourself generous amounts of self-care as you work to resolve these issues.

Take breaks at work as you need to. And whatever self-care at home looks like for you, be it an extra round of golf, a chill night with a good book, or a brisk walk in the woods – get more of it!

Thank you as always for reading.

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KindCompassCoach

Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a private sector corporate executive and 15 years as a consultant. The common thread through her professional life has been a commitment to compassionate coaching and leadership, including mentoring early and mid-career professionals as well as current and future executives and leaders. KindCompassCoach articles are backed by research and include facts and advice from relevant experts. Joan is a member of the International Organization of Life Coaches, serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.