It’s something that, unfortunately, almost all of us will have to deal with at some point or another in our professional lives: working with a difficult coworker. People who slack on their responsibilities, people who blame others for things going wrong, people who refuse to collaborate… the possibilities are endless.
What can you do to get along with difficult coworkers? Try these tips to make things go a little smoother:
Remain Calm
It’s easier said than done, but always remember to do your best to remain calm when dealing with a difficult coworker. Blowing your top and getting angry won’t solve anything, and it will backfire — creating a scene will only make you look like the bad guy, and it can completely tarnish your reputation at the office. Remain calm and think things through.
Try to Understand
Keep this in mind, there’s probably a reason why the individual in question is being so difficult. It could be a myriad of things: the person isn’t happy with their job or pay, they’re having a tough time outside of work, or they’ve just been passed up for a promotion. Understanding a difficult person’s frame of mind can help you realize what’s at the root of the problem.
Don’t Engage
Sometimes, the best strategy to deal with a difficult coworker is to simply ignore them. When they don’t get the feedback they’re looking for from you, perhaps in the form of frustration or anger, they’re likely to give up. Don’t engage in the behavior, and it might just stop altogether.
Address the Problem Directly
In some cases, going to the root of the problem right away — the difficult coworker — might be the easiest way to solve it. Approaching the difficult coworker directly and explaining the way you feel and how you would like their behavior to change can go a long way. Sometimes, people don’t even realize that they’re being difficult, and your direct approach can startle them into shaping up.
Ask for Help
If the above methods don’t work, your last resort will be to ask for help from your manager or supervisor. Some cases of difficult coworkers just can’t be solved all by yourself — it’s okay to ask for help from your boss if you can’t seem to get the coworker to cooperate.
If you’re looking to better yourself in your career and find the dream position that you deserve, there’s no time to waste. Contact High Profile online or call us at 972-991-7900 to get started.