How to work with difficult people

Taking the high road over adopting the "just-try-to-talk-to-me-that-way buster" will not only put you in the same losing league of difficult professionals, reflecting poorly on your character and professional brand, it will also play havoc with your health. And who needs more stress?

Here are some tips to help you work with difficult people:

• Stay calm and professional. Regardless of how bad it gets, remember to always try to remain calm and professional, even if the difficult person is being confrontational or negative. Avoid getting defensive or emotional.

• Don't take it personally. As difficult as it is, don't take your coworker's actions personally. It's not your fault that he/she is moody, always getting up on the wrong side of the bed. Rather, stay true to yourself.

• Try to understand their perspective. Try to understand why the person is being difficult. They may be dealing with personal issues or have a different perspective on the situation.

• Communicate clearly. Be clear and direct in your communication with the difficult person. Avoid using accusatory language or making assumptions.

• Look for common ground. Try to find common ground with the difficult person. Look for shared goals or interests, and try to build rapport.

• Set boundaries. If the difficult person is crossing your boundaries or making the work environment toxic, it may be necessary to set boundaries. Be clear about what you are and are not willing to tolerate.

• Seek support. If the situation becomes too difficult to handle, seek support from a supervisor, HR representative, or a trusted colleague. They may be able to offer advice or help mediate the situation.

• Stand up for yourself. No one should tolerate poor, inexcusable behavior, ever. We are all entitled to respect. When you experience a situation where you are not shown respect, communicate to him/her in an assertive manner how you feel and how you should be respected.

Remember that working with difficult people can be challenging, but it is also an opportunity to develop your communication and conflict-resolution skills. Try to remain positive and focus on finding solutions to the problem.