Tips on How to Handle Challenging Coworkers

Wouldn’t it be ideal if our coworkers and managers were incredibly easy to work with! Well, unfortunately, that’s not the reality. In the workplace, there are many different personalities and if you deem a coworker to be challenging, difficult, or unpleasant, then it could affect your professional and personal lives. Here are some tips on how to handle these coworkers:

• Don’t take your coworkers' behavior personally - The majority of the time when someone is challenging to work with, it’s because they have their own issues that they need to work on - it really has nothing to do with you. If you can keep that thought in mind, it will make it easier for you to work with them. Remember, you don’t have to be friends with everyone at work.

• Communicate your concerns - Most of the time, your coworkers may not know how their behaviors are affecting you. It’s important to communicate your concerns because if you don’t say anything, then nothing will change. Use ‘I’ statements: 

  • I feel…

  • When…

  • Because…

  • What I want/need is…

• Ask your supervisor for help - Depending on the challenges you’re having with your coworker, you may need a supervisor to intervene. If your supervisor is unable or unwilling to do so, then you can always go to their manager or HR.  
  

We spend so much time at work, it becomes a major part of our lives. If you’re struggling with challenging coworkers, then schedule an appointment so we can discuss some tactics on how to handle this. 

Sources:

https://www.kellyservices.us/us/careers/career-resource-center/managing-your-career/collaborating-with-a-difficult-co-worker-dos-and-donts/