Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Introduction
• We know the feeling: – Our patience is nearly ending, we are about ready to throw our fist through a wall or we are on the verge of tears. – The steam is pouring out of our ears.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Our Daily Working Environment
• When we work with the same people day in and day out, chances are we will eventually encounter a situation that can be very “explosive”.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Important
• When we find ourselves in a volatile situation fueled by anger, frustration, or any other highly unstable emotion we need to be very careful about our attitudes since they can damage our career and our professional networking.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Strategy 01 – Inject Humor • We should be able to lighten the mood by using a little humor to show we are not taking it too seriously. • We need to reduce the level of stress, allowing everybody to think about the whole situation. • Be careful since we don’t want to give the impression that the other person’s feelings are not important.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Strategy 02 – Invite a third party to mediate
• Involving a respected third party can help both sides feel that they are being heard • If the person is truly neutral, and respected by both of us, the decision should be considered fair, balanced and acceptable by all.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Strategy 03 – Shift Perspective • We should change our perspective about the situation and consider many different points-of-view. • Maybe the whole situation is not about us or what is going on. • If our co-worker is going through a messy divorce, we might have a little more patience when he doesn’t behave well.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Strategy 04 - Compromise • Being stubborn typically doesn’t get us very far. • We should avoid the “I am completely right” since we can overlook the possibility of creating an equitable solution. • Compromise is a necessity for any relationship, professional or personal and remember together, we can then create a solution.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Strategy 05 - Surrender • All too often we get consumed with the idea of being right. • Even if we are right, it may be appropriate to concede and simply wave the white flag. • Non-stop arguments can potentially damage our long term relationship with any person, causing irreparable harm to our ability to work together.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work 07 Important Tips • • • • • • •
Establish facts first. Ask lots of questions. Actively listen. Avoid pre-judgement. Act professionally. Aim for win-win. Remember there is no one size fits all approach.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Situation 01 - Problems and Strategies Main Problem A co-worker has the annoying habit of doing something that you can’t stand anymore. Main Aspects Obsessively clicking pens. Playing music too loudly. Chewing gum like a cow munching on grass.
Strategy •
Make sure that you aren’t guilty of something as annoying yourself. • See what you can do to block out the habit that annoys you. • Invest in headphones, and try to focus on something else. • If you really can’t put up with, then politely ask your coworker to refrain. Tell them that you get easily distracted. • Above all, be nice about it.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Situation 02 - Problems and Strategies Main Problem You suspect someone in the office is working against you. Main Aspects Your paranoia gets the better of you. You’re put in defensive mode, and you begin actively working against the possible offender.
Strategy •
You need to be aware that most people are not out to get you. Recognize that, and half the problem is gone. • Dealing with a competitive worker can be accomplished by simply doing your work the best you can. • And remember the only one who you are really competing against is yourself.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Situation 03 - Problems and Strategies Main Problem A co-worker tries to engage you in a heated religious or political conversation. Main Aspects Politics and religion are almost always a big no-no in the workplace. Controversial conversations can quickly turn into animosity.
Strategy •
Just don’t talk about religion or politics. • If someone asks for your opinion, try to steer the conversation elsewhere, or laugh it off and say something neutral. • If you feel it is necessary, leave the place out.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Situation 04 - Problems and Strategies Strategy
Main Problem A co-worker or superior makes an inappropriate physical advance Main Aspects Broken office romance. An unwanted pass can spawn gossip, discomfort, or even professional and personal danger.
•
Be fast to deal with this situation. • Do not ignore sexual advances and assume that they will go away. • Tell the perpetrator (in private) that you aren’t interested and uncomfortable, and that you want his or her behavior to stop. • Make sure he or she knows that you will file an official complaint.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Situation 05 - Problems and Strategies Main Problem A co-worker incites you to participate in a nasty office gossip Main Aspects Participating in gossip may be tempting, but it’s almost always ill-advised. When you participate in gossip, you run the risk of offending coworkers.
Strategy •
Stay away from notorious gossips. • When someone tries to share office gossip with you, try changing the conversation, or simply tell them that you don’t like talking about others because you don’t like it when people talk about you.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Situation 06 - Problems and Strategies Main Problem Someone is stealing your food from the refrigerator. Main Aspects The stealing becomes habitual. You decide to let it slide. You go hungry and resentment builds. Confrontation ensues.
Strategy •
Put your food in some sort of container, and make sure to label it with your name. • If it keeps happening, ask, in a non-accusatory manner, if anyone has seen your food items. • If all else fails, you can always purchase a small personal fridge and keep it under your desk.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Situation 07 - Problems and Strategies Main Problem
Strategy
Your boss overloads you with tasks that aren’t in your work description
• You just have to learn the best way to say no to your boss. • Meet with the boss to review your work description. • If it becomes an ongoing problem, go to HR. • We would also suggest a transfer to another department or looking for a new job because some bosses just won’t change.
Main Aspects At first it starts out with little things, like “Do you mind doing this?” Eventually, you become your boss’ slave.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work Our Business Contacts Feel free to send us an e-mail. Our Website: www.licoreis.com Our E-mails: licoreis@licoreis.com licoreis@licoreis.com.br robertolico@hotmail.com Linkedin: Roberto de Paula Lico JĂşnior Twitter: @licoreis