How to deal with difficult coworkers

Living daily with people of different tastes, varied moods and different ways of seeing things is already a challenge, and this becomes even more difficult when we have to live with people who usually have attitudes that hurt, embarrass or displease others.

Here are some common types found in the workplace, and how to keep your attitudes from reaching you.

The gossiping co-worker

It is important to be very careful with this type as every company has one or several employees who do not need to gossip to feel the center of attention and have their 15 minutes of fame.

It is essential to observe the attitude of colleagues to understand who is the gossip of the group. Pay attention to those who usually come up with news that should be confidential and be very careful with these people.

If someone tells you a gossip, don't pass the information on. Also avoid commenting your opinion about your colleagues with other colleagues. And don't tell anyone confidential information hoping that person will keep it secret, know that there is always a risk that they will end up telling it.

The envious co-worker

This type of colleague is easy to identify. If you buy a blue calendar, it will buy a blue calendar as well. If a colleague asks for a raise, he goes there and does the same. And so on. Envy can manifest itself in many ways, so it is essential to keep your eyes open.

When you notice that there is an envious person around you, try to share your life with that person less. Don't talk so much about your likes, desires and life plans. Otherwise, even before you buy those shoes that are in the window waiting for you, your colleague will buy.

The coworker who only complains

This is perhaps the easiest type to identify because he is always around badmouthing something or finding fault where it is possible and even where it is impossible.

People like this attract a lot of negative energy and be able to make the environment heavy, which favors the good coexistence of professionals of the same company. To prevent this type of person from reaching you, try not to listen to what he or she says. Don't encourage complaints, try to show the positive side to the questions this colleague raises.

In general, one should seek to value and live more with colleagues who have plausible attitudes and who can be in harmony with others. However, one should not exclude problem colleagues.

Depending on the case, it may be that talking to the staff psychologist is a good way to get around the problem and reintegrate this colleague into contact with others.

How to Deal with Difficult People | Jay Johnson | TEDxLivoniaCCLibrary (April 2024)