Workforce How to Deal with “Difficult People”Three ways to work across deep divisions. For more insight, read “There’s No Such Thing as Difficult People.” October 19, 2018 Share to: Share on X Share on LinkedIn Share on Facebook Email this article How to Deal with “Difficult People” (Slideshow only)Create low-stakes spaces.Plan activities together, such as meals, walks, or meetings focused on generating new options rather than deciding among existing ones. The key is to find settings that let us relax and escape from habitual defensive interactions.Look for patterns in your frustrations.What bothers us in some interactions is often a fear of losing something we are holding onto tightly: status, position, security, certainty, or control. If we see this, we can understand how we are part of the problem and can therefore be part of the solution.Practice letting go.Sometimes we decide we don’t want to deal with certain people if they can’t change, and other times we understand that we have to work with them even if they don’t change. In these situations, we can let go of stubborn attachments that might be contributing to the problems we’re having with the person. Recommended stories There’s no such thing as difficult peopleA shift in mind-set can enable us to improve our working relationships with those we struggle with. See also “How to Deal with ‘Difficult People’.” by Adam Kahane Four Ways to Deal with Problematic SituationsHow to resolve issues without compromising your values. For more insight, read “Collaborating Isn’t the Only Option.” Difficult, uncomfortable, and courageous conversationsAt the 2019 meeting of CEO Action, chief executives talk about the challenge of fostering diversity and inclusion in their companies and industries.by Timothy F. Ryan, John W. Rogers Jr., and Efraim Grinberg
There’s no such thing as difficult peopleA shift in mind-set can enable us to improve our working relationships with those we struggle with. See also “How to Deal with ‘Difficult People’.” by Adam Kahane
Four Ways to Deal with Problematic SituationsHow to resolve issues without compromising your values. For more insight, read “Collaborating Isn’t the Only Option.”
Difficult, uncomfortable, and courageous conversationsAt the 2019 meeting of CEO Action, chief executives talk about the challenge of fostering diversity and inclusion in their companies and industries.by Timothy F. Ryan, John W. Rogers Jr., and Efraim Grinberg