Rude, obnoxious, negative, gossiper, braggart, back-stabber. Do you sound like someone you know? Many of us have dealt with people like this at one time or another in our lives. They can be a boss, co-worker or client and make your life difficult. There are strategies that you can use to deal with insufferable employees in the workplace.
1. First, look at yourself.
Take a look at your life. Do you feel stressed or are you dealing with personal turmoil? You might be overreacting or being sensitive to situations.
2. Ask for feedback from others
Discuss the situation with family, friends, and coworkers that you trust. Ask them for objective feedback about how to handle the difficult person.
3. Initiate a conversation
Openly talk to the person about your feelings. Do not place blame on the other person, but instead explain how you feel about their behavior. Use the “I” verb. Use the “I” word to say, for example, “When this happens, it feels as though you’re attacking me.” It may surprise you to discover that the other person is open to changing their behavior after they realize the problem.
4. Keep cool
No matter what you do, don’t allow the person you are having a difficult time with to make you lose your cool. Keep control of your emotions. If you allow someone to upset you, it is giving them power over your life and can negatively impact your productivity.
5. Do not engage in or encourage
You must learn how to handle difficult conversations so that you don’t engage the person or encourage their offending behavior. If the person is a snarky braggart or a vicious gossiper, learn how to change the subject or end the conversation.insufferable
6. Limit interaction
As much as possible, avoid interacting with the person. If they interrupt your workday, tell them you’re busy. Also, find out the purpose of their visit. You must keep them focused on the business need. Don’t let them take over your time with other things.
7. It doesn’t have to be personal
Your primary social circle should not be your work environment. Friendship is friendship, business is business. Remember that you don’t have to be a good friend to work professionally with someone.
8. Report on behavior
If none of these strategies help you to manage the problem, report it to your boss. If the customer or client has a boss, you might approach them if they are being inappropriate or abusive. Be prepared to give specific examples of inappropriate behavior in the workplace when you speak with someone. Don’t be a whiner.
9. Transfer
Ask for a transfer to another department, or an area of the company if the problem is too difficult. This is more difficult if the client or customer is involved. However, you might be able find another person within your organization who could be your primary contact.insufferable
10. Quit
If you are unable to tolerate the situation, then you might have to resign and search for a new job. If the person inflicting the problem is a client or customer, you can “fire” them. People who are difficult can have a negative impact on your ability and success. Sometimes, you just have to cut the cord and move on.
