2 X 8 Tips for dealing with difficult colleagues: How to act properly!

Studies show that around 15 percent of working hours in Germany are spent resolving conflicts. Time better spent on getting more important things done Tasks spends. 2 X 8 tips on how to deal with them.

Colleagues from annoying to scheming

Everyone knows him, nobody likes him. Whether you are an eternal complainer, a perfectionist know-it-all or a career-hungry slipper, there are many reasons why colleagues are difficult to get the label. But you can do it well with them clear to come - if you know how.

Because unfortunately we have to. The best thing would be to avoid the complicated contemporaries, but unfortunately this is not always possible. Every day we spend at least eight hours with them. A time that can also be extremely annoying, because many a table neighbor can go to one mind properly or more constantly others make or spin intrigues.

8 Difficult collegiate types and tips on how to deal with you

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However, there are ways and waysto get along with difficult colleagues: you just have to know what makes them tick and treat them accordingly. We've put together a list of the quirks that annoy co-workers the most - and what you can do about them without opening an open one Konflikt breaks out.

1. Caution babblers: The babbler who talks and talks and keeps you from work. With him it is a mistake to get involved in the conversation at all. It is better to have a clear “no” right at the beginning of the conversation. Or the scheming careerist: he never takes extreme positions, but always tactically and cleverly adapts to the boss's opinion. He also strategically judges people by how important they are or could become to his career. However, he does not slime with colleagues, but does not miss any opportunity to capitalize on the mistakes of others. You should therefore keep him politely and firmly at a distance and offer as few points of attack as possible by only talking to him about work, but not about personal matters. You can also distract such annoying colleagues: Keep him friendly but inconspicuous with work: "Could you do me a big favor and get file X from the archive?"
2. Attention whiners! The grumbler is also bad for the mood in the office: he never contributes anything, but is always dissatisfied because he has to work too long, has no responsible task, does not notice important things - and and and. Naggers only read the negative out of all situations and thus make fruitful collaboration difficult. Even if it is difficult: Don't let a grumbler upset you: on his typical statements like "That never works", you cheekily answer: "Why not?"
3. Beware of pessimists: Is your colleague spoiling the bad mood with constant pessimism? Just stand up to your optimism: “With this organization it will never work” - “Yes, it will.” If nothing works anymore: Just ignore your colleagues, because in the end you can never please them. Such pessimists should simply be praised, because they often have poor self-confidence or are dissatisfied and therefore do not treat others to success.
4. Show-off and know-it-all: Some colleagues indulge in self-praise and display what appears to be great self-confidence. In reality you are looking for recognition. Give them a little bit of it, but at the same time take the wind out of their sails: “Yes, I also think that you did your last project well. Keep it up."
5. The sensitive: Appeal also needs the sensitive, a sympathetic, if somewhat exhausting contemporary: He carries his heart on the tongue and always has an open ear for others. But unfortunately he takes every hint of criticism as a personal offense, sometimes even tears flow. In order to be able to speak critically about the work, one should first emphasize the strengths and then attach criticisms.
6. Show Schleimer in her place: The “nice” colleague wants to put himself in the right light again at your expense before the boss? Just ask him directly for details that he cannot know. And specifically point out your boss to your own successes in his presence.
7. Dealing with the choleric: The choleric, on the other hand, is completely unpredictable: as a rule, he is very committed, enthusiastically tackles new projects and also implements them in a goal-oriented manner. He is open to others and usually says clearly what he thinks. As long as it goes as the choleric wants, everything is fine. If something goes against his grain, he freaks out for no reason, while the others are at a loss to find the trigger. In this moment, just waiting calmly until his anger has died down. Or this trick, if your colleague is freaking out: Imagine, as a director, that you are appraising an actor when you audition for a tantrum. Or: Concentrate on a certain detail - "If the vein swells further on the right, it will burst immediately ..."
8. The scheming careerist: He never represents extreme views, but always adapts smartly to the opinion of the boss. He also judges people strategically about how important they are or could become in their careers. But he does not slurp his colleagues, but he never misses the opportunity to go after mistakes made by others. One should therefore keep him politely and definitely at a distance and offer as few targets as possible by talking to him only about the work, but not about personal matters.

8 First-aid tips for dealing with difficult colleagues

But what do you do now with difficult colleagues? First, one should be gracious: Everyone is complicated. Therefore, try to understand how your colleagues are ticking and apply the right means of communication. To do this 8 more tips:

1. Conflict management: Just talk to your colleague. Discussions and jointly developed solutions can often help both sides out of the impasse. Do not reproach colleagues like: "But you have ...", but formulate first-person messages and clearly state how you feel, for example: "I was attacked and hurt by your outbreak."
2. Correctly criticize: You want to criticize a colleague, but suddenly bursts into tears? Give him time to calm down and wait in silence. Ask yourself if you were too confrontational. If not, continue with the factual explanation of your criticism.
3. Always take feelings of colleagues seriously: Do not underestimate the emotions of others by saying something like: "Now don't be so sensitive, it's not that bad." Everyone reacts differently and has a right to their feelings.
4. The correct posture during confrontations: Stand upright and take an open posture, keeping your arms hanging loosely. Important: Demonstrate your self-confidence. Be sure to make eye contact, because if you drop your eyes, you will automatically go to penitentiary.
5. Beware of personal problems: What to do if a colleague confronts you with personal problems? Take him seriously: "I can understand that you are very burdened by what you told me ..." But don't let his problems approach you. Better: get in touch with a professional helper and then return to your work: "... I'm really sorry, but a professional can help you much better anyway ... I have to keep working now."
6. When colleagues withhold information: Some colleagues like to keep information in order to use it alone for their work. A good way to get the information anyway: Ask specific questions about information before anyone else.
7. Return the black Peter: Some colleagues can be really outrageous: “This is again one of your completely unthinkable suggestions. You get the impression that you didn't really listen to the boss. ” Do not waste any thought on the content of the statement, just comment on the type of attack - always in the we-form: "I would like to ask you to find the tone that corresponds to our culture", "This style is not the style we are used to here. Would you please remain factual like everyone else ”or“ It is not the level in this company to make such polemical statements. ”
8. Insulate insolent colleagues in the group: If it gets too colorful for you: Expose the impudent colleague as the one who prevents productive work: "We don't get any results in terms of content", "It is in everyone's interest that we deal with our topics quickly", "We all wish us an efficient session. We have more important issues” or “This way you prevent us from making any progress here.” This isolates the colleague in the group and - what is worse for him - makes him look bad in front of the boss.

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