6 Ways to Manage Difficult People at Work

If you work, you’ know why it’s important to know these  6 Ways to Manage Difficult People at work. Opinions about your life are plentiful. Difficult people not only give their opinion, but get mad at you for not agreeing.

Yikes!

When they don’t like something, their words are an untamable fire that they will speak, write, post and tweet. They destroy, steal or kill the momentum that you try to build, and feel good when things fall apart.

 If this is your experience, you’re not alone. People at every company and ministry look for ways to manage difficult people.

The good news is that you will also encounter mature, experienced people, who have your best interest in mind.

Here’s the difference in the type of person I am referring to:

• Difficult people have a selfish motive. They want the spotlight.
• Difficult people stall productivity, creativity, and other positive behavior.
• Difficult people bring fear and worry, to stop you from moving forward.
• Difficult people create division. It’s a by-product of their selfish goals.
• Difficult people are infused with jealousy, envy and pride. They want what you have and if they can’t have it, they don’t want you to have it either.

Effective communication is a cornerstone of any relationship. It matters in work environments and it matters with people you love, respect, and admire.  It matters with a husband and wife, a doctor and patient and in friendships and relationships and it matters when dealing with difficult people. When communication turns into a dialogue of arguments, opinions, powered by personal bias, judgement and gossip, nothing good is going to follow. This kind of difficult person destroys relationships, creates tension among friends, and halts the effectiveness of teams, careers, and personal goals. Even if it’s someone you like, it’s important to manage your relationship with a difficult person to avoid the devastation that they cause.

James 3: 6-8 says, And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

So, what can you do? Of course, you can’t run from everyone who you find difficult, but you can manage them better.

Check out These 6 Ways to Manage Difficult People

1. Evaluate what they say and pay attention to who is talking. Consider their history and how much confusion and division happens around them. If you have to work with them, do a great job, but be careful what you say. Always keep the relationship professional.
2. The type of person I am describing will never acknowledge your  true ability. Keep doing a great job and be ready when an opportunity comes for you to showcase your ability to someone in a higher position.
3. Don’t get too upset. A difficult person will do the same thing to someone else with your gifts and talents.
4. If you are following Christ and the difficult person is not, that’s not your battle. Stand firm on God’s Word and give Him time to work things out on your behalf.
5. Stop talking so much. Difficult people often use information that you give them against you.
6. Don’t run. Difficult people love to show up when you’re finally on the right track. If you turn around just because of a hater you might miss something special.

God created you with a purpose, He works through His process and His time. He gave you unique gifts and talents, but in developing those gifts, he allows you to encounter difficult people. We love to meet people who are a treasure, but we also have to tackle the haters with the 6 Ways to Manage Difficult People. Be sharp. Be vigilant. Learn to wisely discern the difference between wise counsel and haters.

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