How to handle negativity in the workplace

Introduction

Negativity is a part of every workplace. In fact, it's often considered a necessary evil that helps people focus on what's wrong in order to find solutions. But sometimes negativity can get out of hand and affect productivity at work—and even lead to burnout. How do you deal with negativity when it rears its ugly head? Here are some tips for handling difficult people effectively:

Be aware of your own negativity.

The first step in dealing with negativity is to recognize it. You can't change the world, but you can take care of yourself and your own emotional well-being.

Triggers are things that set off unpleasant feelings in us when they occur. They may be images or sounds that remind us of past trauma or painful memories, or an event that reminds us of someone else's pain (or even their death). Different people have different triggers; some people might find themselves upset by loud noises while others get upset by certain smells; still others have very specific things that make them angry when they're triggered—maybe it's something as simple as a particular smell on someone else's clothes; maybe it's a color associated with something horrible happening at work. The point here is not just to avoid these triggers but also understand why we react negatively when our brains are triggered by them!

Once we've figured out what our triggers are (and how we react), there are several ways we can handle this situation:

Be aware of your own negativity.

·Be aware of your own negativity.

·Understand that you can't control other people's negativity.

·Be aware of your own negative thoughts and feelings, and recognize that you may not be able to control what other people do or say in the workplace.

Don't take it personally.

Don't take it personally. When someone says something negative about you, your coworkers, or the company, it's important not to take it personally. If they have a problem with you personally and this isn't their fault then there is nothing that can be done about it in any case so don't let their comments get under your skin!

Avoid negative people.

·???????Avoid negative people.

·???????Don't be afraid to say no to negative people.

·???????Don't be afraid to say yes to positive people.

Avoid negative people.

Avoid negative people. Negative people tend to bring out the worst in everyone else, which can lead to a downward spiral of negativity. If you don't want this situation in your workplace, it's best to avoid them altogether.

Keep your distance from the instigators.

·Don't engage with them. If you choose to respond, make sure it's in a way that shows that you're not going to change their mind and are happy for the opportunity to work alongside them on projects.

·Don't try to reason with them. While trying might sound like the best option for making someone see things your way, this can often backfire and cause more harm than good. For example: "I know how frustrating it can be when someone has an opinion different from yours," says Leona Lopes, director of talent acquisition at LinkedIn Corporation (LNKD). "But if we both agree that what they say is wrong—then let's focus on how we can fix it together."

Keep your distance from the instigators.

There are two things you need to keep in mind when dealing with negativity in the workplace. First, don't let yourself be drawn into their negativity. If they're trying to pick a fight or undermine you, walk away from them and do your own thing as quickly as possible.

Second, make sure that any time you start talking about how bad something is (and it will happen), make sure that this isn't about anyone else but yourself—it's about what makes sense for your career and happiness at work; it's not about making someone else feel better by pointing out their problems or making light of them because of what happened yesterday (or last week).

Respond neutrally and calmly.

Respond neutrally and calmly. Don't take it personally, don't get defensive, and don't blame others for your problems. If someone is being negative about you or the work environment in general, try to focus on what they're saying rather than how they're saying it—this will help keep you from getting angry or upset.

Listen to what they are saying and understand their point of view.

Listen to what they are saying and understand their point of view.

Don't interrupt or correct them; don't try to be right in front of others, either. Instead, try to understand where they are coming from and why they feel that way. Try not to judge them or make assumptions about their intentions based on your own personal experiences or biases (e.g., "You're just being rude because I'm not nice"). Also, if someone is speaking about an issue that isn't directly related to work but still affects it (e.g., "My child's school didn't offer me enough scholarships" or "Our community needs better healthcare"), it's best not to comment on this at all unless asked specifically by the speaker!

.

Don't gossip about difficult people to other colleagues.

Gossiping is a waste of time and energy. It causes problems for you and your team, who are trying to get work done. A good rule of thumb is: don't gossip about difficult people to other colleagues.

Gossiping can make you look bad, which will impact how others in the workplace perceive your performance and character as a leader. Negative gossip makes it seem like all employees are terrible at their jobs and should be fired immediately (or at least given an ultimatum). This can cause unnecessary stress among co-workers, which can lead to low morale throughout an entire department or organization—and no one wants that!

Being aware of your own negativity can help you in dealing with others' negativity, as well as help you avoid unnecessary stress

One way to deal with negativity is to be aware of your own negative feelings and how they affect you. To do this, ask yourself:

·When was the last time I felt upset or angry? How long have I been feeling that way?

·Am I still upset now? Why am I still so angry after all this time has passed?

If the answer is yes—if you still feel upset—it's best not to respond by overreacting or taking things personally. Instead, try asking yourself what would help me cope better with my anger. For example: "What can I do right now in order for me not take these things so seriously?" Or: "Do other people see this situation differently than me?"

identify the source of negativity

There are a few things you can do to help identify the source of negativity.

·Look for patterns. If you notice that your co-workers seem to be on a negative wavelength, ask them what's going on in their lives and try to be supportive and understanding as much as possible without being overbearing or demanding.

·Pay attention to how people interact with each other at work events or social gatherings so that you know who is generally more gregarious than others (and therefore might be better suited for discussing an issue).

Articulate what you're seeing or hearing

If a coworker is complaining about the quality of their work, it's important to address the issue head-on. It may be that they're not seeing or hearing what you're seeing or hearing, so it's important not to take anything at face value.

And if your coworker is actually experiencing some sort of problem with their job responsibilities, that should be addressed as well. You could use this opportunity to help them understand how their actions affect other people in their department—or even outside of it (e.g., customers).

Find common ground

·Find common ground. This is a critical step, because if you don't agree on the facts and/or the problem, it's impossible to find a solution. You have to be able to say "we're all in this together."

·Agree on the facts: What happened? Was there anything done wrong or wrong-headed by either party involved? Do you think that person is right or wrong? How could both sides benefit from working together (i.e., what's in it for each)

Ask open-ended questions

The next time a coworker complains about their job, ask them what they like about it. You'll be surprised at how often people will open up when they're asked a question that requires more than just a yes or no answer—and it can be especially effective if you're asking someone who has been frustrated and talked down to by others in the past.

Another idea is to ask questions that encourage others to talk about themselves: "What do you enjoy working on?" or "What are some of your favorite things about working here?" By asking these types of questions, you show interest in your coworker's life outside work, rather than focusing solely on the tasks at hand (which might make them feel ignored). And if your colleague doesn't want to talk about themselves? Ask why instead! It may seem obvious but many people aren't comfortable sharing personal information with others—so don't assume that just because someone isn't talking much doesn't mean there's something wrong with them; sometimes silence means all kinds of things!

Brainstorm solutions together

Brainstorming is a great way to find solutions when you're facing negative feedback. It's also useful for other types of situations, such as brainstorming ideas for new products or services.

·Brainstorming can be done in small groups or large groups—and it works best if everyone has an equal amount of input and ownership over their ideas.

·Make sure everyone feels comfortable during the process so that no one gets discouraged from contributing their thoughts at all!

Identify the source of negativity, respond neutrally and calmly, and keep your distance from the instigators.

Takeaway:

As a result of the negativity, it’s important to take a step back and look at your own behavior. Are you being overly critical? Do you have a tendency to be snarky with co-workers or clients? If so, try making an effort to be more positive in your interactions with others.

If the situation is not resolved quickly, it's important that you remain calm and respond neutrally rather than getting defensive or angry. It will help prevent further escalation by showing that there are no hard feelings from either side of the equation—and that everyone has room for improvement within their own sphere of influence on this issue (whether it's within their workplace or outside).

Conclusion

In short, if you are in a negative situation, try to identify what is happening and why. Be aware of your own negativity and do not take it personally. Don't gossip about difficult people to other colleagues. Take control of the situation by being assertive and vocal with those who are instigating negativity. If possible, talk directly with them about their behavior instead of gossiping about them behind closed doors