7 practical tips to deal with difficult people in the workplace
It doesn’t matter what you do or how high you go, there’ll be points in your career where you have to work with people who are a bit… tricky. Perhaps they’re terrible at organisation and always miss deadlines. Maybe they’re super knowledgeable, but rubbish at communication. Sometimes they’re perfectly fine in nearly all regards, but you just don’t click. These are the people who make work a mind-numbing slog, who refuse to collaborate, who just won’t see things from your perspective, who constantly nit-pick, and on, and on.
As much as we might dream of these types of co-workers deciding to quit their jobs and start new lives far, far away from us, holding on to that hope isn’t a realistic solution. Instead, we need to learn how to work with these difficult people. Helping us through this is workplace expert Salman Raza, who says there are a few things you can do.
1) Try to understand the person’s intentions
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Don’t write off your colleague as someone whose life mission is to annoy you. What else is going on? ‘People are rarely difficult for the sake of it. Try to identify why they are behaving as they are. What is stopping them from cooperating with you? Why aren’t they meeting deadlines? How can you help to resolve the situation? What can you do to meet their needs?’
2) Stay calm and treat them with respect
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‘Losing your temper isn’t the answer and won’t get the desired result. It will in fact ignite their ego and will cause further conflict,’ notes Salman. Try your hardest not to be rude, mean, or petty, even when this person is driving you around the bend. Think about your end goal: you want to get on with your work without all these bumps and snags, not end up in a fight or become a bully – no matter how difficult someone might be.
3) Explain your motives
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Wait a minute – what if they think you’re being difficult to work with? ‘Let the person know your intentions behind what you are doing,’ Salman says. 'Sometimes they might be resistant because they think you are being difficult with them! Giving the full background of why you are doing something, why something is needed by a certain date or why something is happening, might help them empathize with your situation. Showing your vulnerability is a great way to get people on board'.
4) Build rapport
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‘Try to connect with your workmate on a personal level. Get to know them as people, and not just colleagues. Learn more about their hobbies, their family and their lives. Really listen to what they say and try to respond in a thoughtful way. Good personal relationships can foster better working relationships'.
5) Ask other people for help
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Don’t seethe all alone, letting your rage eat away at you. It’s worth chatting with other people to check you’re being reasonable – and see if they have any genius bits of advice to make the working relationship run a bit more smoothly. Certain co-workers may have worked with this difficult person before and worked out the best way to navigate their quirks. ‘Ask your colleagues and managers for help,’ ‘They may be able to see things from a different angle and share some light on how to approach the situation. If appropriate, you can ask a close friend or family member for help as well. You never know if they have been in a similar situation until you ask'.
6) Focus on what can be done
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‘Rather than dwelling on what you can’t change, focus on the actionable steps you can take to forward yourself in the situation,’ ‘For example, if a colleague hands something in late, focus on what you can do to rectify the situation.’ Easier said than done, we know, but try to remind yourself of this as a mantra the next time you’re about to rage about how your colleague has screwed you over yet again.
7) Speak to your boss
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Salman says: ‘When all else fails, speak to your manager. Sometimes, the only way to get someone to change is through someone senior speaking to them'
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Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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14.6% Critical thinking
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The Gospel’s Relevance Today**
The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.
**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.
* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.
* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.
* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.
* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.
* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.
**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”
This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”
**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.
* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.
* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.
* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.
This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.
**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.
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