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Knowing how to deal with frustrating people comes in handy in all areas of life, especially at work, where we spend the majority of our precious time. However, addressing problematic behaviors of colleagues often requires confidence, courage, and a dash of creativity, which is a combination that isn’t always easy to channel when confronting someone. To help out those who might be struggling with dealing with difficult coworkers or just need a bit of a push, we’re featuring ways other people managed to do so that worked wonders. Scroll down to find these instances below, and don’t forget to upvote ones that truly deserve a nod of respect.
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#1
I work in a kitchen with all men. One throws a fit over EVERYTHING, full tantrums. One day I said “big feelings huh buddy? Do you need help calming down or can you work it out on your own?” And he has Never thrown a tantrum around me again (though I hear they still happen just not around me) I take it as a win. Mind you he is 41 and I’m 32 😂😂😂
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#2
Found out she hated the smell of eucalyptus. Got the eucalyptus set from bath & body works and. WENT. TO. TOWN. I’m talking using the body wash & lotion every day & the room spray every 20-30min She stopped coming into that office space and would only send me emails. Didn’t lay eyes on her for like 3mos 🤣 honestly my stress decreased so much
#3
When they say something ridiculous, I look them dead in the eye and say ‘what an odd thing to say’ and hold that stare just a little too long. The sheer panic is my reward.
85% of working people have faced a frustrating coworker, according to Kickresume’s 2024 survey. This means that tips and hacks on how to deal with them should be useful for a lot of us out there.
That's why we previously reached out to workplace culture experts Connie Kurczewski, Robina Bhasin, and Josh Hart to ask for some guidance on how to manage difficult colleagues.
#4
“Just the facts please” when they start to rant. Say in mid sentence for bonus points.
#5
I arrived early, took a screenshot of her desktop, then removed all the icons on her computer and replaced the background with the screenshot. She called IT to the office. It took all day to "fix."
The Mediterranean Fruit 2 weeks ago
I knew someone like this. And she was always diagnosing herself with various illnesses so that she could complain and get attention.
#6
Be professional to an extreme and completely impersonal. No pleasantries. No small talk. Not an ounce more than what is required.
Kenneth Smith 2 weeks ago
I actually do this. I'm polite, I'm respectful, I'm courteous, and I try with all sincerity to be the guy you want working on your team, but to many, I'm not friendly. I will not let toxic people get anywhere near me, emotionally. It's not how I used to be. I use to be much more outgoing. Then I realized that I'm better off without the people who are s****y to me.
"You want to start by observing patterns and writing things down," said Kurczewski. "It is easier to have a productive conversation when you can point to specific examples. If you are a peer, speak up respectfully and directly. Be clear about what is not working.
If you are a leader, do not wait. The longer you let it go, the more damage it causes. One of the most common mistakes I see is avoiding difficult conversations. But those conversations are what protect the culture, the team, and ultimately the business."
#7
I (fake) befriended him at work, gaslit him into thinking he’s way too good for here and he’s wasting his talents, kept sending him job offers, within 5 weeks he was gone
#8
My ex boss was on a weight loss journey and hated me. So everyday at lunch I brought back her favorite candy bar and offered her one
#9
I gentle parent grown adults. 'Hey buddy, they're some big feelings you're having' 'it's ok to mad but it's not OK to be mean' 'are you angry or sad? do you know why? because you didn't do your job?'
Peter Bear 2 weeks ago
This sort of thing works wonders, especially if you happen to be just a little bit younger than the one throwing the tantrum.
"It's important to be clear about what’s bothering you and how it affects your work," Hart proposed. "Setting clear boundaries and getting support from HR or a mentor can also help. And keep track of any incidents, just in case you need to show a pattern of behavior to someone higher up."
#10
I tell them made up stories cause I know they’ll tell everyone. Then when someone asks me about it I tell them I have no idea what they are talking about & show them evidence proving it’s not true.
#11
She trauma dumps every day I finally had it and said “you should talk to a therapist not us , they’re the professional”
#12
"you're not good enough at your job to have an ego that big". worked a treat.
Meanwhile, Bhasin added by saying that, "Except in situations where an employee has been abusive toward other employees, I typically begin by seeking to understand where the person is coming from - what does the world look like from their perspective?
With this insight, I help them deepen their self-awareness and see the impact of their actions on others. With this greater self-awareness, the employee often chooses a path of self-improvement to build more positive relationships with colleagues. And if they are not willing to make changes, there is a separate conversation about their future in the company that needs to happen," she concluded.
#14
I was ignored, isolated & gaslit for 5 years. Bought my time played nice pretended I didn’t notice until one day I dropped a bomb. Went direct to the top massive complaint, 5y of evidence. Stayed Long enough to watch the fall out. Then handed in my notice citing ‘toxic workplace'
#15
"is this something you plan to do for the rest of your career?" but in a concerning way that makes them actually question themselves
#16
I had a boss with serious Napoleon (short man syndrome). He belittled everyone else. When he went on vacation, I removed all the furniture from his office and replaced it with doll’s house furniture.
#17
learned how to cry on command so next time he said something outrageously rude i turned on the tears, made him panic and feel super guilty for like a week
#18
I played nice, so nice, that they’re really nice to me now too. But I haven’t forgotten. I’ll always remember. Waiting…waiting
#19
He was homophobic so i said i was gay, set my phones wallpaper of me and my best friend kissing and i made like a whole new personality only for him. He hated me so much. I enjoyed every second.
Mel in Georgia 2 weeks ago
My husband worked with a racist guy. After one comment he said, "You know, I don't appreciate what you're saying - my wife is black." That shut him up quick. (I am not, but loved this!)
#20
If you gotta snitch on them DONT SHOW ANY EMOTION. Basically say “i followed protocol and received this response. May you provide feedback on how to deal with these cases?”
Kenneth Smith 2 weeks ago
Unless it's something really serious, I don't name names. I simply show my boss a picture of what I'm looking at and let him go from there. I'm not reporting stuff to get anyone in trouble. There's simply an issue that needs addressed and I generally don't care who is responsible for it.
What do you think ?
ToGo 2 weeks ago
Wonder how many of these people are actually the bully/asshöle but they just don't see their own faults.
Littlemiss 2 weeks ago
Yeah my first thought was if it was done to you - would you think it was funny and okay too? Most would not be happy with the same treatment.
Load More Replies...
Orange Frosting 2 weeks ago
I call B S on a lot of these. I don't believe there are many people who would truly do stuff like this, except in their fantasies.
Peter Bear 2 weeks ago
I don't have time for pettiness in the workplace. Not from co-workers, not from management. I'm here to do my job, get paid, go home. And I don't get paid anywhere near enough.
ToGo 2 weeks ago
Wonder how many of these people are actually the bully/asshöle but they just don't see their own faults.
Littlemiss 2 weeks ago
Yeah my first thought was if it was done to you - would you think it was funny and okay too? Most would not be happy with the same treatment.
Load More Replies... Orange Frosting 2 weeks ago
I call B S on a lot of these. I don't believe there are many people who would truly do stuff like this, except in their fantasies.
Peter Bear 2 weeks ago
I don't have time for pettiness in the workplace. Not from co-workers, not from management. I'm here to do my job, get paid, go home. And I don't get paid anywhere near enough.
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