Building teamwork when difficult people are everywhere, especially at the workplace can be a challenge. Whether it’s your boss or co-worker, you will meet all types of difficult people in the professional environment. Dealing with them may seem overwhelming and impossible, but it doesn’t have to be so hard. Teamwork, can require a bit of objectivity.

If you’re thinking that you’re better ignoring or avoiding the person in question, then you’re mistaken. You can’t always avoid confrontation, no matter how challenging it may be. Avoidance or denial has never resolved anything in life, let alone difficult people or situations.

In fact, not doing anything will probably aggravate your current scenario. Therefore, it is essential to find a way to change a painful interaction into a productive dialogue between both parties.

Here a few strategies to foster better teamwork with problematic people at work – the bully, negative co-workers, patronizing boss and more.

Keep your cool

Always stay calm and composed. In case of a confrontation with a difficult personality, don’t let your anger get the best of you. Pick your battles wisely. You don’t want to make the situation worse by saying something you might regret later.

Take a deep breath and count to ten. Once you’ve calmed down, you can revisit the issue.

Introspect

If a certain co-worker makes you feel angry, confused or frustrated, why is that so? Get in touch with your feelings. Why do you feel a certain way about the other person? Does their behavior bother you? Or does it have something to do with you? Analyze your feelings to comprehend the role your reaction is playing in this situation.

Analyze their behavior

We all have a different definition for difficult. What is it about a colleague that you find annoying or difficult? Is he or she indecisive? A complainer? Or a self-proclaimed expert? Try to understand them. Analyze their behavior to figure out why you react negatively to them. In addition, this step will help you establish a solution to address the issue.

Find a solution

Once you have identified what sets you off, you can brainstorm possible solutions. What can be done to resolve the issue and improve your relationship with the other person?

Communicate with them

Speak with the person privately. Try to be direct, yet tactful. Don’t play the blame game. Instead, take responsibility for what you say. Choose your words carefully. It’s better to speak in terms of “I” or “we”, and not “you.”

When you speak with them, don’t try to change their personality. Focus on the positive of their personality, especially when offering criticisms.

Another useful tip is to be flexible with style of communication. Depending on whom you dealwith at work, you might have to adapt the way you communicate with diverse personalities to connect with them.

Remember to listen to what the other person has to say. Effective communication is a two-way street.

Don’t jump to conclusions

Don’t jump to baseless conclusions. Give a chance to the other person to explain himself or herself.

Use appropriate humor

Humor is a powerful communication tool. It can be an effective ice breaker, especially in those uncomfortable meetings with difficult personalities in the office. Use it wisely to reduce or eliminate tensions or negative behaviors.

Hire a motivational speaker

If you need professional help dealing with impossible personalities at work, hire a motivational speaker for your next company event. Jon Petz is a well-known,funny motivational and keynote speaker who has addressed various teamwork opportunities.

Jon Petz uses humor and inspirational stories to help inspire people to make productive and positive changes in their lives. Get in touch with him today.