Navigating Difficult Coworkers: Tips for Dealing with Workplace Conflict

?We've all had to deal with difficult coworkers at some point in our careers.

You may be saying to yourself, “Yes, it’s true…it sucks, it is what it is, but what can I do about it?”

Well, read on my Dear Precisionist Life Reader.

Whether it's someone who constantly undermines you in meetings, a colleague who refuses to take responsibility for their mistakes, or a teammate who always seems to be in a bad mood, workplace conflict can be incredibly challenging to navigate.

Personally, it is my least favorite part of working with others.

Mostly, because people can be very defensive in the work place.

But with the right strategies and mindset, you can learn how to deal with difficult coworkers and resolve conflicts in a productive way.

Let me tell you about two coworkers, John and Sarah.

John and Sarah had been working together for a few months when they started to experience some tension in their relationship.

John felt like Sarah wasn't pulling her weight on their joint project, and Sarah felt like John was being overly critical and controlling.

Even accusing him of mansplaining.

Their disagreements soon escalated into full-blown arguments that disrupted the entire team.

This made office productivity start to fall.

After a few weeks of tension, John and Sarah realized that their conflict was not only damaging their own relationship, but it was also negatively impacting the team's productivity and morale.

They knew they needed to find a way to resolve their differences and work together more effectively.

Here are some things they implemented for dealing with each other and other difficult coworkers in order to navigating workplace conflict:

Focus on the issue, not the person: When dealing with a difficult coworker, it's important to focus on the specific behaviors or actions that are causing the conflict, rather than attacking the person themselves.

Communicate clearly and calmly: Effective communication is key to resolving workplace conflict.

Be clear and direct about the issue, but also approach the conversation with a calm and respectful demeanor.

Also, write down and keep track of the agreements that were made in order to resolve the issue.

Having them written means you can refer back to them later if you need to remind the parties what they agreed to.

Listen actively: When you're in a conflict with a coworker, it's important to listen actively to their perspective.

This means giving them your full attention, asking clarifying questions, and acknowledging their feelings and concerns.

You can really only do this step well if you are willing to sideline your ego, and this can take some training.

Find common ground: Even if you and your coworker disagree on certain points, try to find common ground that you can both agree on.

This can help you build a foundation for resolving the conflict and working together more effectively.

Everyone can find where two people meet and agree.

Seek support if needed: If you're struggling to resolve workplace conflict on your own, don't be afraid to seek support from your manager, HR department, or a professional mediator.

The more you have company trainings on how to work through conflict, the better your work culture will be.

Remember, workplace conflict is a normal part of professional life, but it doesn't have to be a roadblock to your success.

By using these strategies, you can learn how to deal with difficult coworkers and navigate workplace conflict in a productive and positive way.

However, if you have someone who is toxic, getting into conflict with many people and is in a leadership position, your best bet as an owner is to replace them before you lose your best talent.

Here’s to having a Precisionist Life

Vickie Helm

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