The document tells a story about a wise man who had a difficult coworker who criticized him but also helped improve him. It then provides 5 strategies for dealing with difficult coworkers: 1) be prepared for conflict, 2) don't fuel the fire, 3) lend a helping hand, 4) get a third party involved, and 5) move on if needed. The document references other sources and provides contact information.

1. Dealing with a difficult
coworker

2. Dealing with a difficult coworker
A story – The wise man and his nasty friend
• A long time ago, there was
an old man who lived near
a village and was well
known for his wisdom and
teachings.
• He used to share his
knowledge through
lectures and meetings and
his whole community was
very pleased for having
him around.

3. Dealing with a difficult coworker
A story – The wise man and his nasty friend
• However, he used to be
followed by a man that
disagreed and criticized his
blessed messages.
• That nasty person was
always trying to damage his
image around the village.
• And because of that many
people didn’t like him.

4. Dealing with a difficult coworker
A story – The wise man and his nasty friend
• After few years, the nasty man
became very sick and died.
• And many people noticed that
the wise man was quite sad
during the funeral services.
• And then, someone decided to
ask him the reasons of his
sadness and concerns.

5. Dealing with a difficult coworker
A story – The wise man and his nasty friend
• “Master, why are you so sad?”
• “Well, today a good friend of mine has
died.”
• “But how could he be your friend?
Since he was behaving badly, trying to
damage your image, teaching and
always questioning you.”
• “Believe me, he was the only one that
pushed me to improve myself, helping
me to think and rethink about my words
and actions without any flattering
comments”.

6. Dealing with a difficult coworker
A difficult point-of-view
• We need to agree that it is
very difficult to accept
the wise man’s teachings
when he referred to a
nasty person.
• And no one would like to
have a friend like that.

7. Dealing with a difficult coworker
Main benefits
• But it is important to bear
in mind that in many
cases, such negative
people help us:
– to be more aware of our
own attitudes,
– to keep control,
– to behave better and
– to go even further.

8. Dealing with a difficult coworker
Introduction – 05 Strategies
• But besides that we would
like to share 05 strategies
to deal with a nasty coworker.
• Remembering that he or
she could be your real
friend.

9. Dealing with a difficult coworker
Strategy 01 – Be prepared for a conflict
• The best way to deal with a conflict is
to anticipate it, developing ways to
handle a debate, remembering:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Don’t be wishy-washy.
Do uphold your morals and values
Don’t be arrogant.
Be self-confident.
Be willing to compromise.
Don’t let him/her get under your skin.
Keep control of the situation.

10. Dealing with a difficult coworker
Strategy 02 – Don’t fuel the fire
• Don´t try to retaliate since it
could be the worst thing you can
do.
• Any exchange of negative words
will fuel such destructive
relationship and you are opening
the door for them to make you
look like the bad guy.
• Instead, use the oldest trick in the
book:
– Kill it with kindness.

11. Dealing with a difficult coworker
Strategy 03 – Lend a helping hand
• Although not beneficial in all
situations, sometimes a difficult
person is simply a troubled
person looking for a friend.
• Unfortunately, this co-worker
ends up making enemies instead
of friends because they don’t
have the necessary social skills.
• Break down that barrier and you
may find someone who could use
as a friend.

12. Dealing with a difficult coworker
Strategy 04 – Get a third-party involved
• No matter how competent and
wonderful a person you are,
you just can’t win everyone
over.
• If a difficult co-worker is not
receptive to your attempts at
defusing the situation, enlist a
neutral third-party to help
navigate the choppy waters.

13. Dealing with a difficult coworker
Strategy 05 – Move on
• You tried to make nice, and it just
didn’t work.
• There comes a point where you
have to hang up your hat and admit
that the situation just isn’t going to
resolve itself.
• If you can honestly say you gave it
your best shot and you’re still stuck
with a disruptive co-worker, it’s
not worth the stress to work day in
and day out in a combative
environment.

14. Dealing with a difficult coworker
Our References
•
The following are referenced in this
presentation:
– Insider Toolbox
http://www.aftermarket.org/Magazine/In
siderArchives/Toolbox/DifficultCoWor
kers.aspx
– Ivillage
http://www.ivillage.com/20-ways-dealdifficult-co-workers/4-a-283591
– Real Simple
http://www.realsimple.com/worklife/etiquette/rude-coworkers00100000077253/index.html
– The Manager´s Minute
http://www.nationalseminarstraining.co
m/managersminute/MGRMIN_0811/arti
cle1.cfm

15. Dealing with a difficult coworker
Our Business Contacts
Feel free to send us an e-mail.
Our Website:
www.licoreis.com
Our E-mail:
licoreis@licoreis.com
licoreis@licoreis.com.br
Linkedin: Roberto de Paula Lico Júnior
Skype: roberto.lico