Difficult people are unavoidable. No matter where you go in life, you’re sure to encounter at least a few. Difficulty can be due to a clash in personality types. After all, some people simply aren’t compatible. However, there are people who exhibit some personality traits that are problematic. These folks cause negative emotions such as frustration, stress, anxiety, annoyance, fear and anger in those around them on a regular basis. If you can’t or don’t wish to remove such folks from your life, you will need to manage the impact they have on you. This is for your own mental health. Take a moment to read these tips for dealing with difficult people in everyday life. They will help you to navigate such issues in the future.
Try to See Their Point of View
You don’t have to agree with them or to approve their behavior but trying to see another’s point of view can help you to decide how to respond to them. If you take a moment to attempt to think like them and figure out where they’re coming from, you may be able to provide a response that placates the person or that is less stressful for you.
Enlist Help from Others
If you can’t seem to figure out a person’s motivations, perhaps someone else can. There’s no shame in asking others for suggestions in dealing with a difficult person. Seeking advice and guidance can save you a great deal of headache. Someone else may have insight that you lack or be able to provide you with some useful strategy. Approach the issue with care and tact, and you can usually find others who are happy to help.
Don’t Feed into Negativity
Some folks just like to be negative, and they try to bring others into their drama. Don’t fall for the bait. Avoid their negativity when possible. You can deflect from it, change the subject or simply agree with them. These responses can work wonders when it comes to de-escalating a stressful situation.
Kill Them with Kindness
Sometimes it really is best to approach a negative person with positivity. Being kind and understanding is an empathetic response that can lead to greater understanding. It can have the most dramatic effect on future interactions with a difficult person. You may even learn something about that individual’s motivations and the reasons for their frustrating behavior.
These are just a few strategies for dealing with negative people. Keep them in mind the next time you’re faced with frustrations from certain individuals. You’ll soon see that these tips can save you a great deal of stress. They may even strengthen relationships.
