Difficult Team Members: More Important Tips on How to Deal With Them

Here are some tips on how to deal with difficult team members or family members:

1. Acknowledge the problem. The first step is to acknowledge that there is a issue. It can be tempting to ignore the behavior or hope that it will go away on its own. However, this is rarely the case. If you don’t address the concern, it will only get worse.
2. Collect evidence. Once you’ve acknowledged the difficulty, it’s important to collect evidence. This could include keeping a log of the problematic behavior, getting feedback from other people who have witnessed the behavior, or even recording the behavior on video. This evidence will be helpful when you have a conversation with a difficult person.
3. Choose the right time and place to have the conversation. Don’t have the conversation when you’re angry or upset. This will only make the situation worse. Instead, wait until you’re calm and can have a productive conversation. Also, make sure to select a private place where you won’t be interrupted.
4. Be direct and honest. When you have a conversation, be direct and honest about the problem. Don’t beat around the bush or sugarcoat things. The difficult person needs to know exactly what they’re doing wrong.
5. Focus on the behavior, not the person. It’s important to focus on the behavior, not the person. This means avoiding personal attacks and name-calling. Instead, focus on the specific things that the person is doing that are causing issues.
6. Be prepared to compromise. It’s unlikely that you’re going to get everything you want in the conversation. Be prepared to compromise and find a solution that works for both of you.
7. Follow up. After the conversation, be sure to follow up to make sure that the difficult person is making an effort to change their behavior. If the behavior doesn’t improve, you may need to have another conversation or take further action.

Here are some additional tips for dealing with difficult team members or family members:

• Stay calm. It’s critical to stay calm and professional, even if the difficult person is being aggressive or emotional. If you lose your cool, the situation will only escalate.
• Listen actively. Really listen to what the difficult person is saying, even if you don’t agree with them. This will help you to understand their perspective and find a solution that works for everyone.
• Be empathetic. Try to see things from the difficult person’s point of view. This doesn’t mean that you have to agree with them, but it will help you to be more understanding.
• Set boundaries. It’s important to set boundaries with difficult people. This means letting them know what you will and will not tolerate. For example, you might say something like, “I’m willing to listen to your concerns, but I will not tolerate name-calling.”
• Get help. If you’re struggling to deal with a difficult team member or family member, don’t be afraid to get help. Talk to your manager, a therapist, or another trusted advisor. They can offer you support and advice on how to handle the situation.

Dealing with difficult people can be challenging, but it’s indispensable to remember that you don’t have to go through it alone. By following these tips, you can learn to manage difficult people in a way that is productive and healthy for everyone involved.