How 2 Deal With Difficult People In The Workplace

We all know that one individual in the workplace who just seems impossible to get along with. Whether they're overly critical, manipulative, or simply unpleasant to be around, difficult people can be found in every business and make even the most positive work environment feel toxic and draining.

The funny thing is, most of the time, these employees don’t even know they are being difficult, and because of their unappealing nature, others tend to avoid and ignore them, which in most cases makes the situation worse.

So let’s rip the bandage off and start the handling process.

First and foremost, it's important to plan your approach. Create a checklist of the ideal outcome and the key points you want to communicate. Having a clear plan can help you stay on track and avoid getting side tracked by emotions or distractions.

Secondly, it's important to keep it private. Airing your concerns out loud in front of the whole team could provoke an ego-based reaction and could result in an ape-like response. Asking the individual into a meeting room for a quick chat will encourage trust and a willingness to listen.

Thirdly, leave emotion at the door. Difficult people generally lack a sense of empathy, and emotions will just confuse the situation. Keep calm, stay professional, and be concise with the boundaries you want to set.

Finally, stay consistent. Now that you have communicated your concerns and set your boundaries, it's important to follow through and stay consistent. Don't allow the difficult person to push your boundaries and try to revert to their old ways. Continue to communicate clearly and hold them accountable for their actions.

It's also important to remember that difficult people are not going to change overnight. It may take time and patience to see improvements in their behaviour. But by setting clear boundaries and consistently enforcing them, you can make the workplace a more pleasant and productive environment for everyone involved.

In some cases, it may be necessary to involve a manager or HR representative to mediate the situation and provide additional support. Don't be afraid to seek out help if you need it.

Handling difficult people in the workplace can be challenging, but it's important to address the issue and set boundaries in a professional and consistent manner. By staying calm, communicating clearly, and holding the difficult person accountable, you can create a more positive and productive work environment for yourself and your colleagues.

If you feel fearful or too inexperienced, just bear in mind, that it is a well-known among senior leaders, “the more difficult conversations you are willing to have, the more successful you will be, use this opportunity as practice for your future success”.

Content created by: Marios Zenonos

Marios brings nearly two decades of experience in building talent attraction functions from the ground up. He specializes in developing and implementing high-level strategies and training programs for senior leadership teams within small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Marios guides these teams through the complexities of modern talent attraction and retention, ensuring they have the necessary tools to secure and maintain their talent for future business growth.