How to Deal with Negative People at Work
Albert BarraNovember 21, 2018 · 3 min read
Negative people regularly appear in our professional and personal lives. We all know people who are difficult to deal with because of their negativity, whether they are clients, bosses or employees. Some are overly demanding or abrasive. Others may be arrogant or emotionally abusive.
Whatever form their negativity takes, it makes communication stressful, and the wrong approach can make matters worse.
Most of the time, we cannot choose who we do business with, but we can choose how we interact with them. Throughout my professional career, I have helped my colleagues and employees learn how to get along with everyone they encounter, even those who are so negative that they are completely toxic.
Some of the best ideas for getting out of those discussions are listed here. They can help you improve your relationships with the negative people in your life, or at least coexist with them with less stress and conflict.
Treat people as you would like to be treated. No matter how negative they are, always be kind. Sometimes, a relationship with a negative person can be improved with a little kindness.Smile at them or greet them when you see them. Being friendly is not a sign of weakness, but of strength and confidence.
Do not take it personally. When you encounter negative people, remember not to take their negativity personally. The problem is not you; it is their attitude. If you can stay connected to that truth, it will be easier to manage their negativity.
Do not become defensive. When dealing with a negative person, it is important to remain calm. Keep your body language and tone of voice under control. Think about what you are going to say and what your goal is for the conversation, and do not react impulsively if someone offends you.
Avoid arguments. If possible, do not disagree with negative people. Find ways to agree with them or ignore them. Arguing will only draw you emotionally into the situation and trigger your fight-or-flight response, making it harder for you to think clearly and respond appropriately.
Keep your sense of humour. Stay calm and rational, resist the temptation to score rhetorical points, and avoid engaging in a battle you do not want to fight. You are far more likely to achieve a satisfactory outcome if you can remain calm, composed and collected.
Draw attention to the positive. Most people have at least some redeeming qualities, so try to find something good.If there is something the person does well, focus on that. Choose to be positive, no matter how negative they are.
Focus on the issue, not the person. Focus on the issue, task, project or problem that needs to be resolved or discussed, rather than on the person you are dealing with. This helps prevent the conversation from turning into personal attacks and can lead to more positive attitudes all round.
Lead from within: you are always in control. You always have a choice. You can choose to let negativity wash over you or learn the best way to handle it.
Most of the time, we cannot choose who we do business with, but we can choose how we interact with them. Throughout my professional career, I have helped my colleagues and employees learn how to get along with everyone they encounter, even those who are so negative that they are completely toxic.
Some of the best ideas for getting out of those discussions are listed here. They can help you improve your relationships with the negative people in your life, or at least coexist with them with less stress and conflict.
Treat people as you would like to be treated. No matter how negative they are, always be kind. Sometimes, a relationship with a negative person can be improved with a little kindness.Smile at them or greet them when you see them. Being friendly is not a sign of weakness, but of strength and confidence.
Do not take it personally. When you encounter negative people, remember not to take their negativity personally. The problem is not you; it is their attitude. If you can stay connected to that truth, it will be easier to manage their negativity.
Do not become defensive. When dealing with a negative person, it is important to remain calm. Keep your body language and tone of voice under control. Think about what you are going to say and what your goal is for the conversation, and do not react impulsively if someone offends you.
Avoid arguments. If possible, do not disagree with negative people. Find ways to agree with them or ignore them. Arguing will only draw you emotionally into the situation and trigger your fight-or-flight response, making it harder for you to think clearly and respond appropriately.
Keep your sense of humour. Stay calm and rational, resist the temptation to score rhetorical points, and avoid engaging in a battle you do not want to fight. You are far more likely to achieve a satisfactory outcome if you can remain calm, composed and collected.
Draw attention to the positive. Most people have at least some redeeming qualities, so try to find something good.If there is something the person does well, focus on that. Choose to be positive, no matter how negative they are.
Focus on the issue, not the person. Focus on the issue, task, project or problem that needs to be resolved or discussed, rather than on the person you are dealing with. This helps prevent the conversation from turning into personal attacks and can lead to more positive attitudes all round.
Lead from within: you are always in control. You always have a choice. You can choose to let negativity wash over you or learn the best way to handle it.