HOW TO DEAL WITH A NASTY COWORKER: 3 TIPS

Build Rapport with Difficult Coworkers: 3 Surefire Tips

Most people don’t walk into a conversation with the intention of being difficult. However, difficult coworkers can impede productivity and basically ruin your day. Most people spend a lot of time telling themselves and others how unfair it is that so-and-so speaks to them a certain way and we shouldn’t have to put up with this...on and on. The goal should always be to work on ways to improve that relationship, if at all possible. Whether you are successful or not, at least at the end of the day, you can tell yourself you gave it your all.

Practice Acceptance
We have to accept people for who they are. If someone has the emotional maturity of a 5 year old, you are not going to change that person through reasoning. Your best bet here is to view this person as the 5 year old that they are acting like. I had thee most difficult person and she directly impacted my work. She was emotional, rigid and inflexible and sometimes downright nasty. But, rather than gripe about how ridiculous she was, I started to view her as a 5 year old. Instead of arguing back at her, I started asking, what can I do to help this situation? Or, what do you need from me so we can stay on track? This helped me tremendously in not taking her words and actions personally. However, you must be extremely mindful of how you say that which leads me to number 2...

Check your own body language
Remember that 80% of any message is translated through facial expressions, tone of voice and body language. You can say the nicest words but if you’re yelling in an angry fashion and standing in an aggressive stance, those nice words won’t be heard.

Treat your coworkers as equals
If you walk into a conversation, enter with the mentality that we’re all on this together. It’s easy for people to get defensive when they perceive critisicm or feeling as though they are blamed for something. I can guarantee the person on the other end of that conversation is viewing the issue from their perspective and feeling misunderstood.

Change your perspective
Most of us speak from our perspective but try to stop, step in the other person’s shoes and try to see it from their perspective. They have their own challenges and perhaps you are unintentionally exacerbating those challenges. If you constantly forget to fill something in on a form, then maybe that means they have to stop what they are doing to look it up and do it for you. If someone gets snappy with you, have an honest discussion about what their challenges are. It’s probable that you’ll realize you can change a simple process in your own work flow to make their lives easier. Showing empathy and a willingness to adjust will go along way in bridging that gap.

Just remember, difficult people will exist in your life forever. In our personal lives it’s much easier to just stop interacting. At work however, as a member of a team, it’s not so easy to shut the door. I’d like to remind everyone that every interaction, every relationship takes two people and the only thing you can do is change your own actions and perceptions.

[lescolbert]

The problem is difficult co-workers are not held accountable for their behavior.

[anthamler]

Toxic coworkers make me wanna quit but I need my job

[coreyanderson]

People who bully coworkers tend to get along great with the boss. Because they kiss up to the boss and some bosses don't realize that. And what I figured out is that when someone is like that, it is because he or she believes that if she is the "best" worker, no one will fire them or lay them off, because he or she is so" indespensable". So, what they do is treat the co worker as though they are lazy, incompetent, etc. And sometimes it works. Also, they think that by doing this it will give him or her more job security.

[oldskoolordie]

1. Wait outside workers house
2. Pick up baseball bat.
3. Classified.

[Dzanarika]

No, you do have to dance around these arrogant bullies, just ignore them as much as possible and IMMEDIATELY start looking for another job. Do not ever put up with those people.

[serenegates]

I’m not giving up. There are criminals in the world roaming free because people have successfully blamed the victim. Rudeness and belligerent behavior in the workplace should be prosecuted. I will not tolerate Workplace bullying or harassment. I will see them in court.

[J-ks]

The fact that we have to work around the horrible coworker is just not right. Why does the tyrant get to act up?

[shiaseedsalad]

I have one who snaps and yells at me for little things. I am sure it's because I'm one of the youngest in our department. She's nice to everyone but me it seems. By the way she isn't perfect at her job either.

[sindeekaye]

I’ve probably watched 150 videos in search of help to find a way to deal with a very toxic, vile co-worker. This is, by far, the MOST helpful video ever! Thank you! Fingers crossed I’m able to accept her and deal with her. This is great!!! I give it a million thumbs up!!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[karladreams]

There is this old lady at work who always have someone in their mouth. I caught her today talking smack about me with another coworker.

[zzzcocopepe]

I appreciate this pep talk. My issue is that I can't logically accept the idea that I'm supposed to just accept other people who disrespect me. I don't really see why I can't just cut them. Like literally physically. I don't think it's right. I think I should be able to knock somebody out who basically spits in my face verbally.

[AmyNCole-luvGod]

Thank you for the Helpful tips. Some people are just unhappy people and as you stated, we can only correct ourselves.., and not take it personally.

[izzyforever]

I quit most of jobs cause of this
I am not getting paid to tolerate a 2 year old
I know its not good to walk away avoid conflict but honestly my health is more important stress is not good.
I have low tolerance to bullshit I never win anyways I try talking and mention to supervisor the situation but nothing gets done
It gets worse so honestly so I m left being miserable and hopeless so I have to start looking for another job.

[domj]

I'm here after a co-worker bih made me so mad I can't calm down

[MiKeMiDNiTe-]

A lot of times I've had co workers that you come in time to think as your friends then one day they start getting nasty.. next thing your enemies and you despise them.

[melgirl]

I work with a few people who are in a click and who are so negative and toxic, consistently gossiping, talking crap on customers, coworkers, etc. It's hard to be around that energy all day! I had to change my perspective. I started meditation and doing morning affirmations, which helps a lot! I also have been looking at it as a test. They are my test and I will pass the test! I will not allow these negative vultures to make me become one of them. Although some days are challenging, having that mindset really helps! I will eventually get a new job, but we will always have to overcome those type of people in the work field. Hold your head up and stay true to who you are! Don't let them drag you down with them. They have nothing better to do then be victims and treat people like crap. Remember they are not worth your energy! Think of them individually, they are not as strong as they try to be without their negative vulture click!

[loststar]

I agree you can’t change how other people act. You can only control how you react or how you choose not to react and not to get affected by their temper tantrums

[robertrutenberg]

The problem with some co workers is their attitude and how they must always be right all the time. I deal with this all the time. Especially one coworker that is always on the fence and is always harassing everyone. He is very toxic and he is always brown nosing. Its is so hard to deal with this toxic mess. Everyday I dread going in to deal with him. How are you suppose to deal with someone like this?

[debra]

I have a manager who is emotionally a five year old. I have learned to be dull, do my job and not react to her. She is a real nut.

[sabercrosby]

Co-worker has mental health/anger issues. Management won't do anything. Everyone is sick of walking on eggshells everyday. It's mentally exhausting.