Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Dealing with Difficult Situations at Work
• 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 WorkIntroduction
• 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 WorkOur Daily Working Environment
• 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 WorkImportant
• 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 WorkStrategy 01 – Inject Humor
• 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 WorkStrategy 02 – Invite a third party to mediate
• 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 WorkStrategy 03 – Shift Perspective
• 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 WorkStrategy 04 - Compromise
• 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 WorkStrategy 05 - Surrender
• 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 Work07 Important Tips
Dealing with Difficult Situations at WorkSituation 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 co-worker to refrain. Tell them
that you get easily distracted. • Above all, be nice about it.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at WorkSituation 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 WorkSituation 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 WorkSituation 04 - Problems and Strategies
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.
Strategy
• 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 WorkSituation 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 WorkSituation 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 WorkSituation 07 - Problems and Strategies
Main Problem
Your boss overloads you with tasks that aren’t in your work
description
Main Aspects
At first it starts out with little things, like “Do you
mind doing this?” Eventually, you become
your boss’ slave.
Strategy
• 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.
Dealing with Difficult Situations at WorkOur Business Contacts
Feel free to send us an e-mail.
Our Website: www.licoreis.com
Our E-mails:[email protected]
[email protected]@hotmail.com
Linkedin: Roberto de Paula Lico JúniorTwitter: @licoreis
