Working with difficult people: Techniques for Resolving Disputes

An array of challenges arises when we deal with difficult individuals especially to our work-life and overall well-being. However, we can still maintain order amidst disputes through the implementation of the right techniques and can rest easy knowing that our mental and emotional balance will not suffer.

A test of resilience and patience ensues when we work with certain difficult individuals. Challenges regarding communication issues, poor work ethics, and personality clashes are inevitable and results to a situation to become ‘challenging’. Additional factors for this difficulty include:

1. People known as strong minded individuals that prefers having control over conversations or relationships can be difficult to deal with. Interactions with them are often difficult to navigate due to their uncompromising nature and penchant for criticism.

2. An erratic and unmotivated appearance stems from the difficulty to regulate emotions. With the right attention and guidance, improvements on theses aspects should be expected by providing motivation and understanding.

3. Someone who has adopted a passive-aggressive or confrontational stance are also difficult to deal with. Remain calm and collected when engaging with them as well as employing strategic techniques to deescalate the rising tension.

4. Traumatic experiences from past events that left scars that can affect how people interact with others due to their anxiety and distrust towards others

5. Barriers created by power dynamics between those of higher and lower positions. The former, perceived as unapproachable due to high standards, makes the situation difficult for collaboration and communication.

6. Other mental health conditions, such as narcissistic tendencies and borderline personality disorders, makes it difficult to forge meaningful relationships and maintain existing ones due to the obstacles created by these instances

People has the natural tendency to be dynamic, hence, it is noteworthy to try to balance the intricacies between the relationships. Also remember that people can also change over time due to outside influences that shape their behaviour.

Determine the Source of the Conflict

Identifying the fundamental root of the problem should be prioritised before engaging a confrontation to an uncooperative person. Prioritise gaining insight to their behaviour if whether it was caused by insecurities, vulnerability, miscommunication, etc. It is only through understanding these can you devise an effective strategy to diffuse the situation.

Communicate Effectively

To resolve issues with difficult people, it is paramount to be able to express your feelings and ideas clearly. Be direct to the point when stating your opinions without assigning blame and being too critical. Focus on the disagreement causes and the precise behaviour that led to it.

Maintain your Emotional Control

Maintaining control over your emotions is the key in handling difficulty conversations. Employ different techniques such as inhaling deeply and counting to 10 before engaging are some tools that enables you to establish control. Staying calm and collected also provides you with confidence to navigate these situations.

Be Assertive

Being able to guard your needs and respecting the rights of those involved requires staying levelheaded during challenging situations. Expressing yourself through the use of “I”, “I believe”, or “I require” are helpful tools and unassign blame to others. It also means that you respect the others’ viewpoint while trying to get your point across

Seek Support

Getting help from others is essential especially when handling complicated people. Seek aid from trusted individuals like a friend, family, counselors, and even support groups to provide objective insights in handling these situations.

Dealing with difficult people throughout our lives is inevitable. However, this does not mean that our mental health should be taken for granted when Interacting with them. Handle disagreements in a calm manner while identifying the root cause of the problem in order to come up with savvy solutions is always possible especially with the help of others.