How to Handle Difficult People

Every day you encounter people who just want to be nasty and lead miserable lives. It is even more challenging to have to deal with folks like this when they work next to us. Here are some ideas to help you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Patience and perseverance

1. Don’t let their attitude become contagious. Just because she is snippy with others doesn’t mean you have to return the favor. Be extra nice, but not insincere when you greet her in the morning. Don’t let her drag you down. The bottom line is that whether you like it or not, you have to work with her. Make the best of it.
2. Pull her aside and ask her if she is okay and if there is something you can do to help her. Tell her you are sad to see her so unhappy and you want to help. Either she will snip at you more or she might even soften a notch, but only when you’re not looking.
3. If she reacts to your efforts constructively, listen to what she has to say. If the reason she is bitter is because she is alone on the holidays, invite her over for a hot chocolate and carol sing. Do something nice to alleviate her situation and she will appreciate it.
4. If you do break through the ice with her, try to put yourself in her place. Maybe she has no friends or relatives, or she lost her husband during the holidays or some other bad situation hurt her. Empathize with her circumstances and you may feel more warmth toward her.
5. Maybe she will respond to humor. Try to joke around with her, but not at her expense. Find common interests that you can bond with her about. In your dealings with her, if you continue to be calm and compassionate, eventually she will understand that you do not fall for her façade. Maybe she will understand that you want to be friends. If not, you would have lost nothing but a little time and perhaps gained her grudging respect.

Tips & Warnings

• Getting through takes time, be patient.