At some point in your career, you may encounter difficult people. While these can be challenging to work with, understanding their behaviors will enable you to better manage them.
They may be displaying these behaviors due to personal issues. Instead of treating them with contempt, try to understand their underlying problems and provide solutions.
1. They are always right
Difficult people often have fragile egos and the need to prove themselves right. When expectations are not met, they become angry and aggressive; in some cases, they may try to control others by refusing to acknowledge that they were wrong.
They often believe they can do better than everyone else, which can present a real challenge when working with them. They tend to be competitive in all areas of life–from their appearance to their career–and always strive for recognition.
These people aren’t necessarily bad, but they can be challenging to work with. They tend to add extra layers of stress and tension into any situation.
Debating can be beneficial for communication, but it can also strain relationships. Difficult personalities often fail to grasp that constructive disagreement is more beneficial for both parties than attacking each other’s character.
Their argumentative style can cause you to lose your temper or become defensive, which makes it even harder for them to work with. They may not even notice that you are feeling irritated or overwhelmed, so it’s essential that you remain composed and rational during conversations with them.
Researchers from the University of Georgia studied data to create a model for understanding how difficult people can be. Their model includes seven key factors such as disagreeableness, callousness, grandiosity, aggressiveness, suspicion, manipulativeness and dominance.
2. They are competitive
Difficult people tend to be competitive by nature and will strive to outdo each other in various areas. For instance, they may strive for success at work or socially; this type of behavior can create a toxic work environment.
Conversely, difficult personalities may exhibit overly competitive tendencies in relationships. This type of behavior could indicate a lack of empathy. It’s essential to recognize when dealing with this type of person so that you can make amends and move past any past grudges they might hold against you.
In addition to being competitive, difficult people tend to be rude and aggressive toward others. This could include disagreeing over property lines or failing to prioritize their own tasks at work.
It is essential to remember that this type of behavior could be due to a recent move or new role. They may be struggling to adjust and comprehend their new environment as well as how to work efficiently within it.
If you want a deeper insight into yourself and your personality, taking a personality test is an ideal starting point. Whether it’s through famous frameworks like the Big Five or online quizzes designed to measure innate strengths, taking these types of tests can give you insights into yourself better and identify areas for growth.
3. They are stubborn
Stubbornness is a personality trait that can have both positive and negative consequences on people. It may be an effective way to stand up for what’s right, but it may also leave individuals feeling unheard or undervalued.
Stubborn people tend to argue with others and refuse to change their opinion. This may be due to fear of change or the belief that their way is the only way to achieve what they desire in life.
They feel the need to defend themselves against perceived threats and abuse. This behavior has evolved as a coping mechanism in order to shield themselves from painful experiences in their lives.
When dealing with someone who is resistant, try to understand their perspective and come up with a solution that benefits both parties. Furthermore, offer facts and evidence to back up your claim.
You can also strive to establish a connection with them and demonstrate that you care about their feelings. Doing this will make it easier for them to open up about any worries or anxieties.
Finally, never take personal offense when dealing with someone who is stubborn. Instead, gently persuade them to see your side of the argument.
Stubborn people can be difficult to manage, but they also offer valuable opportunities if you know how to work together effectively. By mastering how to manage these traits effectively, you will strengthen your connections and foster a more cooperative atmosphere.
4. They are argumentative
Difficult personalities tend to be argumentative and inflexible, with little patience for other people’s views. They typically believe they know best what’s right and everything else is flawed.
This personality type often views others as threats and will attempt to control social situations as much as possible. This can be frustrating for those trying to get along with them, as it creates frustration and tension between the two of you.
These types often possess large egos and are easily angered when their expectations have not been fulfilled. If someone has hurt their feelings, they may become aggressive or violent; thus making handling them when angry a challenge.
If your child exhibits this personality trait, it is essential that they learn how to build trusting relationships. Feeling heard allows them to express their needs and feelings more openly.
Another essential thing to remember is that everyone becomes argumentative when they don’t feel understood. If you’re uncertain why your child is becoming combative, begin by communicating your worries directly to them.
You can also try to identify what’s causing them so much discomfort by asking them about their day. This will give you insight into why they seem so distressed and provide you with a better idea of how best to approach dealing with them.
5. They are egotistical
If you find yourself working or interacting with someone who is excessively self-centered, it may be time to evaluate whether setting boundaries for them is necessary. While healthy self-confidence can be beneficial to an individual, if they become too self-centered they could set themselves up for failure or damage their relationships.
Egotistical individuals typically believe they deserve special consideration and respect. While they may be arrogant and self-centered, this does not make them necessarily narcissists.
They often select friends and activities to make themselves look good in the eyes of others, which can lead to manipulative behavior and an unwillingness to admit when they’re wrong.
Egoistic individuals can have a detrimental effect on relationships, yet they still possess charisma and charm. While they may appear to have it all together from the outside, they are usually deeply insecure inside.
To effectively deal with these individuals, be honest and make it known that you will not tolerate being treated poorly. Doing this will help them realize that you do not endorse their inflated ego and will not accept their behavior in any way.
You can try to comprehend their actions and explain why they harm you and your team. Doing this might help them realize what needs to be changed in order to alter their behaviour. Remember that egotistical people are also people; so they may be willing to listen to your concerns and learn from past errors.
6. They are callous
Ramani Durvasula, PhD, emphasizes the importance of empathy when developing a relationship. “Callousness” stems from an absence of concern for someone’s feelings or needs and it makes it difficult to build a meaningful connection with someone who lacks compassion, according to clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula.
Callous individuals often struggle to form friendships and may display hostility towards those who differ from them. It is essential to remember that people are individuals, and difficult personalities can be a reflection of the difficulties in their lives.
Recent research has demonstrated that callous-unemotional traits have a neuroanatomical correlate. Bilateral anterior insula volume accounts for up to 19% of the variance in callous-unemotional traits among typically developing boys.
If you have a difficult person in your life, it may be beneficial to understand their personal struggles and provide them with solutions that make work/life balance better. According to PsychPoint’s licensed mental health counselor, this strategy might be more successful than trying to motivate them into changing their behaviors, according to mbg’s opinion.
Quizzing yourself about personality traits can be a fun way to gain insight and assess how you behave with others. One popular online quiz, The Difficult Person Test, was inspired by clinical psychologist Chelsea Sleep’s personality research. It asks you to rank seven specific traits: callousness, grandiosity, aggressiveness, suspicion, manipulativeness, dominance and risk-taking.
