How to Handle Difficult People (Without Losing Your Sanity)
or Head-butting and Name Calling
If you’re in business, then you know that difficult people are an unavoidable reality. Whether it’s a client who’s never happy no matter what you do or a coworker who’s constantly trying to undermine you, dealing with difficult people can be one of the most challenging aspects of owning a business. But it doesn’t have to be! With a little effort and the right approach, you can learn how to handle difficult people without losing your sanity (or your cool).
Here are a few tips on how to deal with difficult people:
1. Don’t take it personally.
This is probably the most important thing to remember when dealing with difficult people. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the drama and think that the person is deliberately trying to make your life difficult, but more often than not, that’s not the case. The person may be going through something themselves that has nothing to do with you, and they’re taking it out on you because you’re an easy target. Or, they may simply be a naturally difficult person who struggles to get along with others. Either way, it’s important not to take it personally so that you can keep your cool and react in a constructive way.
2. Set boundaries.
It’s important to set boundaries with difficult people so that they know what behavior is and isn’t acceptable. This will help to minimize conflict and reduce the chances of blow-ups. For example, if you have a client who is constantly making unreasonable demands, make it clear that you aren’t going to tolerate that behavior by politely but firmly saying no when they ask for something that isn’t part of the scope of work agreed upon. Once you’ve set a boundary, stick to it! If you give in even once, the person will likely continue pushing until they get their way.
3. Be assertive, not aggressive.
When responding to difficult people, it’s important to remain calm and level-headed. This can be challenging when someone is being hostile or verbally abusive, but it’s crucial if you want to diffuse the situation instead of escalating it. Avoid getting defensive or attacking back; instead, stay calm and let the person know firmly but politely that their behavior is not acceptable. In some cases, it may be helpful to apologize even if you didn’t do anything wrong; this can diffuses hostility and help the other person save face.
4. Keep communication lines open.
In any relationship — whether it’s personal or professional — communication is key. This is especially true when dealing with difficult people since miscommunications can quickly escalate into full-blown arguments. Whenever possible, try to communicate in person or over the phone rather than via email or text so that there’s less room for misinterpretation; if that’s not possible or practical, make sure to be as clear as possible in your written communications so there’s no room for misunderstanding.
Though difficult people are an unfortunate reality of doing business, they don’t have to ruin your day (or your life!). By following these simple tips on how to deal with difficult people, you can learn how to handle them without losing your sanity — or your cool.
