Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
Difficult people can be a real pain – and it’s not always clear what to do about them. And unfortunately, they tend to stick around for a while.
But no matter how difficult they may be, there are ways to deal with them healthily. In this blog post, we’ll look at the six types of difficult people and provide tips on how to deal with them effectively.
Be prepared for dealing with difficult people, and steel yourself for the battle ahead!
Table of contents
Difficult people: who are they?
Difficult people are anyone who makes your life difficult. They can be your coworkers, your family members, or just random people you meet on the street.
There’s no specific definition of a difficult person, but they usually exhibit characteristics that make them hard to deal with. These include: being unpredictable, critical, and demanding; being insensitive to other people’s feelings; and having low self-esteem.
Though it may seem like these people only exist in a few numbers, the truth is that they’re everywhere. And we all have experienced them at some point or another! Difficult people often thrive in high-pressure environments where everyone is fighting for their survival. It makes it hard for others to get ahead or move up in their career, making them feel powerful and in control.
Why must you worry about difficult people?
Their presence upsets your state of mind. They are annoying, and you may find it hard to focus on anything else. They can also bring emotional pain since they don’t understand or appreciate what it’s like to struggle.
While difficult people won’t always cause harm, their presence can be depressing and destabilizing. If you ignore them – they will harm your relationships, work life, and general well-being.
It is difficult to know what to do when encountering a difficult person. You may feel tempted to confront them directly to get them to change their behavior. On the other hand, you may avoid them altogether in the hope that they will eventually leave on their own.
Humorously speaking, what would your life be like if you never had to deal with difficult people? Well, it would be pretty dull and unfulfilling, wouldn’t it? Thankfully, life isn’t that simple, and there will be people who challenge you. You don’t have to worry about them – you can learn how to deal with them effectively and maintain your sanity.
The Six Types of Difficult People
Difficult people can be a real pain. They don’t come with standard packaging. Like ice-creams and candies, they come in different flavors. Here are six types of difficult people for you to watch out for:
The Blaming Person
There’s no denying that a blaming person can be incredibly frustrating and tough to deal with. They are always looking for someone to take the blame, and they see any problem as someone else’s fault. It makes collaboration very difficult and often leads to conflicts. Furthermore, they are pessimistic and never take personal responsibility for their actions or words. As such, it is hard to trust or believe in their ability to deliver results.
This person can quickly drain everyone’s energy! The best way out of this vicious circle is by remaining calm and refusing to get drawn into a negative vortex where everyone starts complaining instead of working together towards a common goal. It might not be an easy path, but it pays off in the long run!
The Manipulative person
If you know someone manipulative, it’s vital to be aware of the signs. Manipulative people are always looking for a way to control and manipulate others. They use guilt, threats, and lies to get their way. Knowing their behavior upfront will help you avoid getting dragged into their games and ensure they don’t win by making you feel helpless or stressed out.
Take action – that counts when dealing with a manipulative person effectively! If you allow them to run all over you without standing up for yourself, they’ll eventually wear down your resistance until they have won over your trust and heart.
The Counterproductive person
Some people cannot help but sabotage things and make everything difficult for themselves. They nurture irrational anger, hatred, or envy, and they put everyone around them at risk as a result. Stay away from such people at any cost – they’re not worth your time!
The Violent person
If you are in a situation where someone is becoming violent, it is essential to stay calm and think things through. Do not make sudden movements – this will only agitate them and cause them to lash out even more. Instead, try to de-escalate the situation by talking some sense to the offender.
Remember their triggers and steer clear of those situations in the future – that way, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding violence altogether! When violence does happen, remember that taking action right away can be the best thing for all involved. By doing so, you minimize possible harm done, physically and emotionally.
The Negative Person
There’s no denying that people can be difficult at times. Some certain traits and behaviors make a person negative – these tend to ruin relationships and cause difficulties in various aspects of life. In general, negative people are very critical and never accept any criticism. It often leads to conflict as they strive to validate their views at all costs. If that doesn’t work, you can usually reason with them or confront them head-on; but this might also lead to escalation or even violence (in extreme cases).
The best way is avoidance or changes the subject – preferably sooner rather than later! In case all else fails, try finding a friend who will be able to help set things right again.
The Complaining Person
The complaining person is tough to deal with. And unfortunately, they seem to be everywhere these days. They are always unhappy and looking for someone to pick on. They have a habit of finding fault with everything and the people around them. It makes them feel better in the short term but often leaves everyone upset and frustrated, including themselves.
It’s important not to react when they start complaining – try to understand their situation and motive for doing so. Sometimes all it takes is an apology from the complaining person to put things back into balance. However, if this doesn’t work, set boundaries or tell them what you think about their behavior.
Dealing with difficult people
Difficult people can be a real pain in the neck. But there are ways to deal with them effectively and get through the situation as quickly and smoothly as possible.
When they are around you.
Understanding how difficult people think – can help you better deal with them. They often feel frustrated and powerless, so try and empathize with their feelings instead of retaliating automatically. Remember that anger begets anger – so if you can take some time to calm down, the difficult person may eventually do the same.
6 proven ways to deal with them effectively.
Time needed: 5 minutes
With some patience and understanding, you will be able to deal with them effectively. Here are 6 proven ways:
- Don’t take things personally – It’s just their personality trait, and it won’t change overnight.
Example: Your coworker, known for being blunt, dismisses your proposal in a meeting. Instead of feeling attacked, recognize this is their communication style—they critique everyone’s ideas. Respond by asking, “What specific improvements would you suggest?” This shifts focus to collaboration rather than conflict.
- Offer solutions instead of criticism – Let them know what you think can be done to improve the situation, and offer help if needed.
Example: A team member consistently misses deadlines. Instead of saying, “You’re unreliable,” try: “Let’s use a shared calendar to track deadlines. Would it help if I check in with you mid-week?” This approach addresses the issue constructively and fosters teamwork.
- Stay calm and stay in control – This will influence them to do the same; they might even feel pressured if you lose your temper or start yelling at them provocatively!
Example: A customer yells at you over a delayed order. Instead of reacting defensively, take a breath and say, “I understand this is frustrating. Let me resolve this for you right now.” Your calm demeanor can defuse their anger and lead to a productive solution.
- Understand that difficult people are simply doing their best – They may not have all the information or resources. Give them time and space to collect more data before making any hasty decisions.
Example: Your manager micromanages your tasks. Consider they might be stressed about upper management’s expectations. Approach them: “I want to align with your priorities. Could we schedule weekly updates to keep you informed?” This shows empathy while setting boundaries.
- Be assertive but diplomatic – Don’t rebuke or get aggressive. It will only worsen the situation by inciting hostility rather than resolving conflict (usually counterproductive).
Example: A friend often cancels plans last-minute. Instead of accusing them, say: “I value our time together. Could we confirm plans a day in advance?” This communicates your needs respectfully without blame.
- Take a step back and take a deep breath – If things are getting out of hand, don’t hesitate to cool off by taking time for yourself. Don’t be afraid to walk away from the situation if it’s becoming too difficult or irritating; you won’t come across as being pushy or aggressive but will have demonstrated your seriousness about resolving the conflict.
Example: During a heated family debate about finances, emotions escalate. Say, “Let’s pause and revisit this tomorrow.” Walking away temporarily prevents saying something regrettable and allows cooler heads to prevail.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Difficult people can sometimes be difficult to deal with because they often elicit reactions that we don’t always understand or control. One of the best ways to get past this impulsiveness and react better in difficult situations is to practice mindfulness and calming techniques like deep breathing exercises and journaling.
Often people are a little bit hostile because they feel insecure or threatened. Understanding their behavior and managing our emotions can go a long way in helping us not to react negatively to difficult people.
When it comes to difficult conversations, it’s important to remember that not all difficult people are evil. They may have different personality traits that make them challenging to communicate with. If you find it hard to talk to difficult people, there are a few diverse tactics that you can use.
Some of these include: avoiding the person, taking a timeout, sending a polite email instead of speaking on the phone/in person, etc. Always keep a cool head and remain calm under pressure. And lastly, establish boundaries and be clear about what is and isn’t acceptable behavior.
There are a few specific exercises and relaxation techniques that can help you manage difficult people effectively. The first is to stay calm and focus on your breathing. When you’re feeling stressed or anxious – your breathing may become shallow and fast. It can lead to tunnel vision and reduced focus, making it harder to handle difficult people.
Another technique for managing difficult people is to practice nonjudgmental acceptance. When you see difficult people for who they are- not good or bad, but just people- it will be easier to communicate with them and maintain a clear head.
Last but not least, understand that difficult people are simply approaching life differently than you are. If you can get past their defensive stance and see them for who they are, it will be easier to handle them.
Difficult people often act based on their own biases, stress, or communication habits. Taking their behavior personally can escalate conflicts and harm your emotional well-being. By recognizing their actions reflect their mindset, you can respond calmly and focus on solutions.
Practice mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or pausing before reacting. Remind yourself that losing control worsens the situation. For example, count to three silently or visualize a peaceful scene to regain composure before responding diplomatically.
Conclusion
Difficult people can be a real challenge, but with the help of this blog, you can get through difficult situations like a pro. By understanding the different types of difficult people and how to deal with them – you can prevent them from impacting your life. Apply the tips to your specific situation. We look forward to hearing your thoughts about this blog in the comments section below!
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