Dealing with Difficult People

Faithful on the Clock

You know the ones. The people who play office politics, whine, constantly interrupt, or let their ego run rampant. In this episode of Faithful on the Clock, we’ll cover how to deal with these “difficult” people so your team is strong and the office is a great place to be.

Timestamps:

[00:04] - Intro

[00:32] - Just about everyone has stories about difficult people at work, but getting along is essential because relationships support everything else, such as morale.

[01:10] - There is always a reason behind someone’s difficult behavior. If you learn what that is, then you can be empathetic instead of assuming that the other person is intentionally malicious.

[02:05] - I had a difficult coworker who was very negative. I initially focused on that negativity.

[02:44] - After refocusing on the “why” behind my coworker’s behavior, I was able to reorient myself and be helpful to them. Similarly, you can help others; you just need to know their “why” first.

[06:00] - Relationships are always two-sided, so consider how, if at all, you are contributing to the conflict.

[07:40] - Follow proper procedures and protocols, document everything, and go to your boss/HR if needed. They have a responsibility to create a safe culture.

[08:38] - If your company’s leadership will not help you, consider whether it is worth it to stay in the toxic environment. Don’t be afraid to leave if that’s what’s healthiest for you.

[09:22] - Summary of four main points

[09:58] - Prayer

[10:56] - Outro/what’s coming up

Key takeaways:

• Dealing with difficult people is critical at work because when your relationships are solid, performance, morale, and other points all improve.
• From dealing with a former coworker, I learned that there is always a reason for the way someone behaves on the job. If you set aside your personal feelings or perception that it’s a personal attack, you can look for that reason and be more empathetic.
• Because people will mirror you, and because management might discipline you for any retaliation, be loving, pray for the people who offend or trouble you, and focus on doing your job.
• Make sure that you are self-accountable and consider what role, if any, you play in conflicts. Be an inspiration or support rather than a stumbling block.
• Follow policies and procedures to the letter, communicate with management to the best of your ability, and if needed, leave the environment if it has become truly toxic.

Relevant Links:

Mirror Neurons: How We Reflect on Behavior

Become a Better Leader by Consciously Modeling Leadership Behaviors

CTAs:

• Look for the deeper reason behind someone else’s behavior.
• Respond in love/kindness rather than retaliation.
• Consider how you contribute to tough scenarios and take responsibility for your part.
• Follow your company’s policies and procedures in trying to raise concerns about others. If management does not respond properly, draw a limit about when you will leave the toxic environment.

What’s coming up next:

Money is the root of all evil--or is it? In the next episode of Faithful on the Clock, you’ll learn whether having wealth is okay as a Christian professional, and what that means for the attitude you need to have as you experience success.