Dealing with Difficult People

Difficult People Training

Every workplace has them, doesn't it?

You know the type l am talking about. The ones who make meetings feel like root canals. The colleagues who turn simple requests into complex drama. The people who somehow make a coffee run feel like negotiating world peace.

And here's the thing : you are going to have to work with them anyway.

l have been thinking about this after watching yet another workplace meltdown unfold. Someone in accounts had a complete breakdown over printer paper. PRINTER PAPER. But here's what struck me, it wasn't really about the paper at all.

Most difficult behaviour comes from somewhere deeper, doesn't it? Stress, overwhelm, personal issues bleeding into professional spaces. Sometimes people act out because they don't know how else to communicate what's really going wrong.

But that doesn't mean you have to absorb their chaos.

The "Glass Half Full" Thing Everyone Talks About

You have probably heard this before, but hear me out . When someone is being impossible, try flipping your perspective. Instead of seeing them as the enemy, see them as someone who's struggling.

This isn't about becoming a workplace therapist. It's about staying sane while dealing with the situation.

When my colleague Sarah used to snap at everyone during busy periods, l started noticing she was overwhelmed with her workload. Once l understood that, her behaviour made sense. Still annoying, but it made sense. And that understanding helped me respond differently instead of just getting defensive.

Role Playing Without Feeling Ridiculous

Here's what actually works: practice difficult conversations before they happen. Not in some formal training room, but mentally rehearse how you would handle specific situations.

What would you say if someone interrupted you constantly in meetings? How would you respond if a coworker took credit for your work? What's your plan when someone becomes aggressive or hostile?

Having these responses ready means you are not scrambling for words when it actually happens. You can stay calm instead of getting swept up in their emotional storm .

Sometimes You Just Need to Walk Away

And this is where it gets real, sometimes the best thing you can do is remove yourself from the situation. Not permanently, but just step back and breathe.

l learned this the hard way after getting into a shouting match with a coworker about project deadlines. We both said things we didn't mean, and it took weeks to repair that relationship. Now when l feel my temperature rising, l excuse myself for a few minutes. Sometimes l go make tea, sometimes l just walk around the building.

The difficult person might think l am being rude, but it's better than saying something l will regret later.

When It's Your Boss

This one's tricky because you can't exactly walk away from your manager, can you?

If your boss is the difficult person, you need a different approach. Document everything. Keep records of conversations, decisions, and expectations. Not because you are looking for trouble, but because difficult bosses often change their stories later.

Try to understand what triggers their difficult behaviour. Are they under pressure from above? Do they get worse during certain times of the month or year? Are they better via email than face to face?

Sometimes you need conflict resolution training to handle these situations properly. There's no shame in getting professional help when workplace relationships become toxic.

The Emotional Contagion Problem

Here's something they don't tell you in most workplace advice : negative emotions spread like wildfire. If you spend your days around difficult people, you start becoming difficult yourself. It's not your fault, it's just how humans work.

You need strategies to protect your own mental space. Some people meditate. Others listen to music on their commute to decompress. l personally need at least 20 minutes of silence after dealing with particularly challenging colleagues.

Find what works for you and do it consistently. This isn't optional if you want to maintain your sanity and professionalism.

Setting Boundaries That Actually Work

You cannot control difficult people, but you can control how much access they have to you.

This might mean:
- Not checking emails after hours
- Redirecting inappropriate conversations back to work topics
- Refusing to participate in gossip or complaints about other colleagues
- Being clear about your availability and sticking to it

Boundaries feel uncomfortable at first, especially if you are used to being accommodating. But they are essential for your wellbeing and your ability to do good work.

When to Get Help

Sometimes difficult behaviour crosses the line into harassment, bullying, or abuse. This is when you stop trying to handle it yourself and get management or HR involved.

Trust your instincts. If someone's behaviour makes you dread coming to work, if you are losing sleep over workplace interactions, if you find yourself avoiding certain people or areas of the office, that's a sign the situation needs professional intervention.

You are not being dramatic. You are protecting yourself and potentially other colleagues who might be experiencing the same problems.

The Reality Check

At the end of the day, some people are just difficult. Not because of stress or personal issues, but because they have learned that being difficult gets them what they want. These are the ones who push boundaries, create drama, and make everyone else's life harder.

With these people, your only real option is learning to manage difficult conversations effectively. You set clear boundaries, you don't take their behaviour personally, and you focus on getting your work done despite their antics.

It's not fair, but it's reality.

And here's the thing l wish someone had told me earlier : you don't have to like everyone you work with. You don't have to be friends. You just have to be professional and get the job done.

Sometimes that's enough.