How to Cope With Difficult Co-workers

It can be challenging to cope with difficult co-workers. They can be frustrating whether your co-workers are chronically late, do a poor job or are just plain annoying. Figuring out a way to cope with difficult co-workers can become the most challenging part of your job. Don’t let difficult co-workers ruin what would otherwise be a good job. Here is how to cope with difficult co-workers.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Identify the behaviors of your co-workers that try your patience. Be as specific as possible. It is much easier to address specific behaviors rather than having a “kitchen sink” view of your co-workers. In most cases, not every single trait of your co-workers is annoying or troublesome.

2. Think about your co-workers’ good qualities. Most co-workers have something of value to offer, even if the good qualities do not outweigh the bad ones. Give credit where credit is due, and identify what good qualities your co-workers have.

3. Ask yourself why you care about your co-workers’ shortcomings. Sometimes people can drive themselves crazy getting worked up over things that their co-workers do that do not even directly affect them. If you are projecting your own issues onto your co-workers, then work through your own issues first. You might find that resolving your own issues will cause your feelings toward your difficult co-workers to change.

4. Stop getting involved with issues that do not affect you directly. If your co-workers make bad choices that do not affect you or your position with the company, then treat your co-workers professionally. Stay out of the drama! For example, if you are aware that co-workers are having an affair, keep your distance as long as it isn't affecting your position in the company.

5. Brainstorm ways to manage your co-workers’ choices that affect you or your position. For example, if a co-worker is consistently late with getting you information that you need for your own report, then build procrastination time into the timetable. If a co-worker is consistently late to work, then work around him.

6. Talk with your co-workers about your concerns. To the extent you think it will be constructive, talk with your co-workers about your concerns without being judgmental. For example, sometimes a co-worker who uses the speaker phone in his cubicle is unaware that this is bothersome to those around him. A polite request is sometimes all that is needed to make things much better.

7. Communicate with co-workers in the way that they respond to the best. Some co-workers prefer email communication while others are more responsive to a phone call or a face-to-face chat. Figure out which mode of communication your co-workers prefer and use that mode when working with them. Sometimes this little bit of effort can go a long way toward your co-workers being more receptive to your requests.

8. Protect yourself. Co-workers may create a hostile work environment by using lewd or foul language around you. Some unfortunately make racial slurs. Talk with your company’s human resources personnel if your co-workers are violating your legal rights. Also, keep a paper trail to cover yourself in case you have co-workers who are out to sabotage you.

Tips & Warnings

• Cream always rises to the top. If you do a good job, your boss is eventually going to notice, regardless of the choices of your difficult co-workers.
• Don't let yourself become fixated on problematic co-workers. If you continue to have trouble with your difficult co-workers, you might want to consider finding a different job.