How to Get Along With Difficult People

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By Corrin Henry
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Do you know people at work who drive you crazy? Find the best way to handle people who seem to want to push your buttons.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Patience
Sense of humor

Step 1

First understand that you generally aren't the problem. These people usually have issues in their personal lives, and they take them out on you.
Step 2

Second, when someone seems to want nothing more than to push your buttons, keep your cool. You give them exactly what they want when you let them get to you.
Step 3

I have found that people like this enjoy getting under your skin. If you are overly nice to them every time you see them, you will start to notice that they are the ones who seem irritated instead of you.
Step 4

Always smile and say "Hi, how are you today?" Smile again and tell them you hope they have a wonderful day when you leave them. You will notice they start looking confused by your change in attitude.
Step 5

Bottom line, when you kill them with kindness, you take away their ammunition and power. Their problem is no longer yours.

Tips & Warnings

This worked for me when I had a co-worker who went out of her way to drive me crazy for no apparent reason. I used to dread seeing her everyday, because she seemed so happy when I was miserable. When I turned the tables and went out of my way to be overly sweet to her, the tables turned and she was the one who seemed out of sorts every time she saw me.
They won't be able to figure out why you are so happy and nice to them and it will keep them off guard.
Always make sure to be professional in all transactions with co-workers, whether you like them or not. Your job is your first priority.

Comments

xiu-yi said

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on 10/18/2009 I did this and it worked! The people who loved to see me miserable ended up confuse as to why I'm not frowning when they're making fun of me. Instead I'm smiling and they got irritated and they are the ones who got angry. Killing them with kindness and a smile really works. Good article!!!! :)