Dealing with difficult coworkers can be really hard. You just want to get your job done but there’s this colleague(s) who’s always getting in your way. They could be annoying to work with because of their bad attitude amongst other reasons. In cases like this, what do you do?
First of all, I like to say that the difficult person you see could be soft hearted but might have been hardened by life’s challenges, struggles or experiences. Also, such a person tends to mask their pain or inadequacies with a stern and difficult cover. Trust me, I have experienced this as a trend at work with a few of my coworkers. Still, work has to be done and you cannot let the “difficulty” of your coworkers hamper your productivity.
On that note, here are 4 tips for dealing with difficult coworkers:
1. Love
We should see our coworkers as people that Christ died for; Regardless of how difficult they may be, we must always respond in love. Like Romans13:8a reminds us, ‘Owe no man anything but to love one another’. So just love them, and walk in love towards them.
2. Forgive
We must learn to offer our coworkers the same forgiveness which we freely received in Christ Jesus. A decision to forgive involves not picking offences and overlooking certain actions. This is also a show of our Christian belief.
3. Focus on the positive
Concentrate on their great qualities. Compliment their positive actions, if you are in a position to do so. This will help you focus on their strengths and help you work better with them.
4. Pray for them
Prayer works wonders. Take out time to pray for their hearts and pray about relating with them. This will help you with the above mentioned tips.
If you do these 4 simple tips, dealing with that difficult co-worker might just get easier.
Have you ever had to deal with a difficult co-worker? What did you do? Please share in the comment section below.
You can also read “Representing God in the Workplace: 4 Things To Consider“.
Written by: Iyadunni Dimka
Also, you can talk to them. You could build a rapport with them, and somehow look for a way to talk about some things in a way that wouldn’t offend them or cause strife between you both.
It’s something I recently tried to do.
Of course, not everyone is the same/would react the same way, and not every situation is the same aswell…but good communication makes alot of things easier.
And prayer cannot even be overemphasised! Good read.
Very true. Good communication and of course prayer.
Thank you Favour.
So true! I have difficult colleagues as well and God asked me to pray for them. Sometimes the work is very frustrating too so I pray for ease and favour in their roles as well. I’d definitely love to try out focusing on their good qualities and strength.
This was such a good read. Thank you. ❤️
Glad you enjoyed it Tobi.
Very true, the effect of prayer can not be over emphasized.