02/19/2026
From the Daily OM
Dealing with difficult people-
We encounter a wide variety of people throughout our lives. Many of them touch us in some positive way. Occasionally, however, we encounter those individuals who can be difficult to deal with. Perhaps this person is a colleague or close friend, and you feel they are being deliberately obtuse, inviting trouble, or doing foolish things that annoy you. It may be possible to appease or avoid those people in the short term. Dealing with them in the long term, however, can be exhausting. The behavior of difficult people can even make you feel like losing your temper, but keep your cool. Staying calm is the first step, particularly when you are ready to confront them.
Avoiding a difficult person can prove impossible and is not in your best interest, especially if you live or work together. Likewise, attempts to steer clear of them can become a source of stress and anxiety when they are a part of your social circle. When this is the case, it is best to kindly, but directly, address the problem. Try not to let their actions or mood affect you. Tell the person how their actions make you feel, and encourage them toward a more positive course of action. Speak assertively, but respectfully, and don’t portray yourself as a victim. Another approach for dealing with a difficult individual is to gain a deeper understanding of who that person is. Ask them why they do or say certain things. If you disagree with their motives, question them further, so you can try and discover the root of their behaviors. In doing so, you may be able to gently shift their perceptions or at least help them understand your point of view.
You may want to think about what you want to say to a difficult person before you actually talk to them. If you can, avoid being judgmental or defensive, and try to approach the conversation objectively. If the person is open to the idea, try coming to an agreement. If approaching them fails, let it go and move on. There is no reason to let a difficult person or situation have power over your state of being. Remember that a lot can be accomplished when you take the time to listen and offer up alternative perspectives.
