Related Sponsors


Any suggestions on how to get through the day-to-day?

Home » Human Resources » Dealing With Difficult People: Your Peers » Any suggestions on how to get through the day-to-day?

First, decide whether the difficult peer is truly difficult, or just annoying. If it’s a small personality quirk that gets on your nerves, weird habits, or idle chatter, can you just ignore it? Can you limit the time you spend with this person, or find constructive ways to less the impact of these quirks? Of course there are times you’re required to be in close contact with peers, but when you’re not in a meeting, or working closely on a project, try to put up a barrier between the two of you. Wear headphones, keep your back to the wall, politely turn down offers of conversation by saying you’re really busy and need to get work done, and so on.

If the person is truly difficult—a risk to your career, or to the company, then you need to take further action. As mentioned above, approach the peer in a calm, non-confrontational manner to discuss the situation. Tell her how her behavior affects you. For example,

“I feel that I can’t get my work done on time when I take so many breaks to talk with you. I enjoy our conversations, but it’s really affecting my performance at work.”
Then discuss strategies for correction, whether it’s setting times of the day that you can’t be disturbed, a method of letting each other know when’s a good time to talk, or whatever works for you.

Other tips from the trenches:

  • Bite your tongue, and bide your time. It’s not wise to blurt out the first thing that comes to mind when you’re upset with a peer. Think it through, and approach the person when you’re both calm and can really talk. Go somewhere private, and share what’s on your mind in a non-combative way. Ask him or her to help you brainstorm solutions, so it makes it more of a team effort, not you against him.
  • Use humor to defuse the situation. If a situation crops up while you’re in a meeting or surrounded by others, use gentle chiding, sarcasm, or humor to make your point without being to obvious.
  • Keep track of serious situations. Note dates and events, so you have a record if things do come to a head or you choose to involve your boss.
  • Choose to work on different committees or teams, when possible. Putting distance between you lessens the impact of his or her offenses.
  • If all else fails, consider a transfer to another team, or even leaving the company. Yes, it’s the other person’s problems causing the trouble, but if you’re that miserable, then you’re hurting your career, too. Are you better with or without this job?



    Next Page: What is Human Capital Management?

    Related Dealing With Difficult People: Your Peers Articles


    • Sponsored Links