{"id":2979,"date":"2017-06-07T18:29:01","date_gmt":"2017-06-07T23:29:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/?p=2979"},"modified":"2017-05-11T18:37:24","modified_gmt":"2017-05-11T23:37:24","slug":"how-to-deal-with-difficult-people-and-anger-bullying-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/how-to-deal-with-difficult-people-and-anger-bullying-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Deal with Difficult People and Anger-Bullying Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"angry-640314_960_720\"No one should ever make you feel uncomfortable at work. A workplace bully may be your boss or your co-worker. Don\u2019t allow the bully to intimidate you or make you feel bad about yourself. You know your true worth – don\u2019t forget what that is! Do your job and do it well. The workplace bully wants you to fail and when you don\u2019t, he or she will be defeated.\u00a0 The #1 strategy to prevent an \u201cincident\u201d is when you feel you may \u201cblow your top\u201d or feel you may do or say something you\u2019ll later regret \u2013 walk away! You may have to sacrifice \u201chaving the last word\u201d in order to prevent an \u201cincident\u201d. If you have time and \u201cpresence\u201d, before leaving you can say say \u201cI\u2019m going to calm down and we can continue the conversation later.\u201d If possible, go outside and walk a some–do not drive, it can be dangerous since sometimes we can be unfocused while.<\/p>\n

It is especially difficult when the \u201cdifficult person\u201d or \u201cbully\u201d is your manager or CEO. Below are ten tips that will make dealing with and interacting with difficult people easier.<\/p>\n

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  1. Ask\u00a0 yourself, \u201cHow important is this person to me at this moment?\u201d Being careful not to devalue them, certain people have greater or lesser significance in our lives. If the party in question does not hold great regard in your life, are you willing to simply let the issue slide and walk away?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    1. How important is this issue? Will it matter ten years from now? If not, let it go. It is not worth\u00a0 your time and effort.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      1. Can you accept the person as they are? \u00a0If you do, you must be at peace with him\/her so as not to become resentful and angry later on.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        1. Can I change my perception of this person? A less judgmental observation allows \u00a0interaction in a less critical manner. \u00a0I.e. Perhaps change \u201ccontrolling\u201d to “very insecure.”<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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          1. If the party is an important part of your \u00a0life set boundaries and guidelines in your relationship.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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            1. Establish a common ground with them, identify something you both have in common. By doing so, this allows both parties to feel a certain connection and increases the levels of understanding and trust.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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              1. Build trust. Showing genuine interest and concern in them eases their anxieties and fears, allowing them to feel more comfortable in your presence. Once achieved, they will most likely become more cooperative with you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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                1. Bring out the best in them. Avoid allowing their bad behavior to influence how you behave. Find some goodness and focus on that.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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                  1. Remember to be fair and open-minded to what they say, believe, and do. Refrain from criticism and judgments, be understanding and compassionate instead.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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                    1. Some of our greatest gifts in life have been the most difficult people who cross our paths. View them as an important teacher who is enabling you to learn and grow.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      You may keep in mind the strategies below to help your self-esteem stay\u00a0 elevated..\u00a0 Bullies and \u201cvictims\u201d share the commonality of poor self-esteem, so if you\u2019re having challenges with difficult people it\u2019s especially important to keep yours up!<\/p>\n