República

de
Panamá

Universidad
Especializada de las
Américas

Facultad de Educación Social y

Desarrollo Humano

Grado de Investigación Criminal

y Seguridad

3B

Equipo:
Samaniego, Sunei
Asignature: Inglés

Profesora:
Cintia Linares

Investigación

Tema:
Tratar con
personas
difíciles

2024
 INTRODUCTION
We all encounter difficult people at some point in our lives, whether at work, in the
family, or in our social relationships. Difficult people can generate stress, conflicts
and misunderstandings, affecting our peace of mind and productivity. Learning to
deal with them effectively is an essential skill for maintaining healthy relationships
and a harmonious environment.
 INDEX
CONTENT................................................................................................................................................1
DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE, STRATEGIES........................................................................................1
WHAT MAKES SOMEONE A DIFFICULT PERSON?.......................................................................................3
HOW DO YOU SPOT A DIFFICULT PERSON?................................................................................................4
ANOTHER TIPS TO DEAL WITH RUDE PEOPLE.............................................................................................4
THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING AROUND DIFFICULT PEOPLE...................................................................5
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................................8
BIBLIOGRAPHY....................................................................................................................................9
 DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE

It is inevitable that you will have to deal with difficult people at some point in your
career. Sometimes it might be a supervisor while other times it may be your fellow
associates. You may also encounter difficult customers that you must interact with
on a regular basis. There’s no simple reason why some people are difficult. The
reality is that everyone is different, and some personalities can be more challenging
than others. Some people tend to take credit for others’ work while others blame
everyone else for their mistakes. You may also have the coworker who steals
everyone else’s ideas or the person who is combative whenever they are addressed.
In every organization, there will undoubtedly be gossipers, bullies, demanding
bosses, and terrible team players. Rather than endure these issues silently, try
implementing the following strategies to help you better handle difficult people at
work.

1. Don’t React
Sometimes difficult people act out because they want to rile you up and get a
reaction out of you. If you react, there’s a good chance they will repeat the
behavior. Instead, remain calm and try to ignore the person’s behavior. Move
on with what you are doing and let them know that you are not concerned
about their behavior. Someone who can remain calm is seen as being in
control and the difficult person is more likely to respect you.

2. Develop a Rapport
It may sound counterintuitive to develop a relationship with a difficult person
but this approach can actually be very effective. When you take the time to
get to know someone, their likes and dislikes, their interests, and their style of
work, you will have a better understanding of figuring out what makes them
tick. Showing genuine interest and concern for a coworker can also
motivate them to treat you with respect in return.

3. Practice Empathy
It’s easy to lash out and get angry when
someone treats you unfairly, but try
looking at the situation from a
different perspective. You never
know what is going on in
someone else’s personal life.
Perhaps the person is under
enormous stress caring for
a sick family member or
maybe the person is going
through a divorce. The fact
is, we all go through
challenging times in our lives
when our attitudes and behaviors

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 might be affected by our current situation. Instead of judging your coworker,
try listening to them and practicing empathy.

4. Stand Up for Yourself

No matter the situation you should never be expected to accept poor,
inexcusable behavior. Everyone is entitled to respect and you have a right to
express your feelings if you feel you have been disrespected in the workplace.
Calmly and assertively talk to the person and let them know how you feel. Let
them know that you are happy to talk with them and work alongside them
but you expect to be treated with respect at work.

5. Focus on What You Can Control

There are many things in life that we can control and many that we can’t. It’s
always best to focus on the things you can control. This includes dealing with
difficult people. For instance, if you have a coworker that is not responsive to
your calls or emails, simply move on to find another coworker who is willing to
assist you with your project. Work around the difficult person and control the
things you can.

6. Practice Self-Examination
The ability to practice self-awareness is a top leadership skill in any career.
Take a minute to examine your own strengths and weaknesses as well as your
demeanor towards others. Are you aware of your emotions and how they affect
you? Are you aware of how your behaviors are perceived by those around
you? Ask yourself if there is something you could be doing that might
be contributing to the problem. You also need to examine the way
in which you are handling the issue so you can be sure you
aren’t adding fuel to the fire.

7. Treat the Person with Kindness and Respect

You may have heard the expression “kill them
with kindness” and this can be an effective tactic
for dealing with difficult people. There is not a
single person who appreciates being berated or
treated like they are incompetent, and this
includes difficult people. If you treat the person
disrespectfully in return, they will almost certainly make
things worse. You will be far more successful following
the old mantra to “treat others the way you want to be
treated.”

8. Don’t Take Things Personally

When someone is difficult we often find ourselves taking
their behavior as a personal attack. If someone is
repeatedly rude to us we begin to feel like they just
don’t like us. The fact is, however, that the person’s rude
behavior might be originating from something else. If you
2
 don’t take it personally, you can step back and really consider the best course
of action.

9. Establish Boundaries
Dealing with a difficult person means you sometimes have to confront the
person and establish firm boundaries. While you should do so with respect, it
is certainly acceptable to advocate for yourself. You sometimes have to let the
person know how you expect to be treated and let them know that you will
not tolerate anything less. If they are unable to respect you, action may have
to be taken.

10. Talk with Your Boss

If you have tried these other approaches and all else fails, you can always talk
to your manager or boss about the situation. Be prepared to communicate
clearly to your boss what is bothering you and why you find the behavior
unacceptable. In some cases, you might even provide a record of the person’s
disrespectful behavior. Explain how their behavior is impacting you and your
ability to do your job.

When it comes to dealing with difficult people, it can be tough to just “grin and
bear it.” an unpleasant person or interaction can linger in your mind, even
when you’re not around them. Suppressing those interactions can start to
take its toll on your mental health.

Many times, like at work, we must be around these difficult people whether
we want to or not. There are a few things, though, that we can do to lessen
the impact that they have on us. Here’s the lowdown on not-so-nice people,
how to spot them, and how to deal with difficult people — both in and out of
the workplace.
WHAT MAKES SOMEONE A DIFFICULT PERSON?

Everyone has their own personality types and quirks. In and of themselves,
personality clashes don’t make for difficult relationships. Usually, what ruins
interpersonal relationships is poor communication, a lack of empathy, or criticism.

 Poor communication
They might constantly talk over you, or never pay attention to what you have
to say. They might be indirect, passive-aggressive, or rude. Whatever it is,
talking to them is never straightforward. And you never feel good about how
the conversation went after you do. Poor communication skills can take a toll
on any relationship.

 Lack of empathy
Some individuals never seem to care about anyone but themselves. This lack
of empathy can make them especially challenging to deal with. They may
have trouble understanding other people’s emotions or circumstances. These
people often come across as callous and uncaring.
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  Criticism
Highly critical people can be among the most challenging to be around. It can
seem like nothing, and no one meets their standards. Unfortunately, the
closer you are to a highly critical person, the more their comments sting. This
can be particularly upsetting in personal relationships.

HOW DO YOU SPOT A DIFFICULT PERSON?

It would be much more convenient if difficult people walked around advertising their
unpleasantness. But while they might not wear flashing neon signs, they do give off
some clear warnings. Here are 11 ways to recognize a difficult person:

 They insist on having everything their own way

 They belittle you or insult you
 They leave you out of important conversations
 They always have an answer for everything
 They have difficulty with emotional regulation
 People seem to avoid them
 They exhibit toxic traits, like being picky, bossy, or gossiping
 They second-guess everything you say or do
 Their private and public behavior is inconsistent
 You don’t feel comfortable around them
 They exhibit extreme jealousy, codependency, or other red
flags in their relationships
Being around difficult people can have an impact on your relationships
and on workplace culture. Because their behavior can have such a
detrimental effect on your well-being, it’s important to take steps to prevent
their behavior from affecting you. Not “letting them get to you,” however, might be
easier said than done.
HOW DO YOU NOT LET A DIFFICULT PERSON AFFECT YOU?

There’s a saying that when you change, so do others. Working on ourselves first is
the surest path to making sure things go the way we want them to. After all, it’s hard
for only one person to get into an argument.
With that in mind, the first thing to do when faced with a challenging person is to
look inside. Understanding why you’re affected by them can help you determine the
best way to handle their behavior.

1. Pay attention to how you react

How does this person’s behavior make you feel? Do you feel frustrated, insulted, or
dismissed? Being able to label the feelings helps to pull you out of reactivity mode
and into curiosity — a much more productive (and less explosive) space.

2. Stay calm
Even when you’re dealing with a difficult person, it usually doesn’t help to blow up on
them. Many times, they’ll use your reaction (justified or unjustified) to recruit support,
making you look like you were just “overreacting.”
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When you find yourself getting exasperated with someone, start by taking one or
more deep breaths. Don’t feel like you must engage with them right away. It’s
perfectly okay to take a step back, regroup, and follow up when you feel more
centered.

3. Do your own Inner Work

Sometimes, people bother us because they remind us of ourselves. If we’re already
frustrated whether with ourselves or because of our own problems their
shortcomings will feel intolerable.

ANOTHER TIPS TO DEAL WITH RUDE PEOPLE

But these situations are part of life and they are also opportunities to show others
that you are an intelligent person, with a clue and who knows how to deal with these
small day-to-day obstacles. So, the next time you encounter a rude or rude person,
take a deep breath and follow these tips.

1. Don't take it personally (even though it is) It's normal to get angry when
someone is rude, especially if they refer to you in their offensive comments.
But luckily, you have the chance to decide how you react. Don't let this get to
you. You can see the problem as. his and not as yours. If you take it
personally and respond poorly, you will fall into their game and be more
vulnerable.

2. Find out why People usually have their reasons when they react this way,
and on many occasions they are usually misunderstandings. They may have
had a bad day or they may be in a hurry. It is also possible that they did not
realize their attitude. You won't know the real reason until you ask! Therefore,
stay calm and simply ask him: “I have been feeling a little upset with your
attitude/comment. Is there a reason why you treated me like this?” The
answer may surprise you.

3. Remember, you too have been a rude person on occasion. Maybe on this
occasion it's not your fault, but surely at some point in your life you have
been rude, offensive or hurtful to someone. That doesn't mean you're a bad
person. Additionally, sometimes we can misunderstand others or feel
offended by something they have done without realizing it. Therefore, the
next time someone is rude to you, remember that that person is human and
his behavior at that moment does not mean that he is a bad person.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING AROUND DIFFICULT PEOPL E

Dealing with difficult people can have various consequences depending on how you
handle the situation and the dynamics involved. Here are some potential
consequences to consider:

5
1. Positive Consequences:
- Improved Relationships: Successfully managing difficult interactions can
lead to better relationships and increased trust over time.
- Enhanced Conflict Resolution Skills: Dealing with difficult people can help
you develop and refine your conflict resolution skills, which are valuable in
both personal and professional settings.
- Personal Growth: Overcoming challenges presented by difficult individuals
can contribute to your personal growth and resilience.
- Respect and Recognition: Others may respect
your ability to handle tough situations
diplomatically and effectively.

2. Negative Consequences:
- Stress and Emotional Drain:Interacting
with difficult people can be emotionally
taxing and lead to stress or burnout if
not managed properly.
- Damage to Relationships:
Mishandling difficult interactions can
strain relationships and lead to
misunderstandings or conflict
escalation.
- Reputation Impact: Depending
on how you handle the situation,
your reputation could be
affected if others perceive
you as unable to handle
difficult personalities.
- Missed Opportunities:
If interactions with
difficult people are not
managed effectively, it
could potentially lead to
missed opportunities or
setbacks in work or personal life.
- You feel like the difficult person is
draining the life and energy out of
you
It is a scary thought, but dealing
with difficult people can take
years off your life. This happens
when you internalize a
confrontation or their bad
behavior.
Your body responds with stress
6
hormones that can negatively
impact your heart health.
 - You constantly feel stressed in the presence of this person or when thinking
about him/her. As stated in # 1, stress hormones can negatively impact your
heart- health. Normally, stress hormones are a short-term defense
mechanism to deal with an immediate threat. The key words are “short-term”
and “immediate.” The constant feeling of stress is not good for you. Neither
your mind or your body responds well to stress. You may notice difficulty
sleeping, concentrating, a change in appetite, increased anxiety, and many
more physiological and emotional responses.

3. Organizational Impact:
- Team Dynamics: Persistent issues with difficult individuals can affect team
morale and productivity.
- Work Environment:If difficult behavior is not addressed, it can create a
toxic work environment and impact overall organizational culture.
- Legal and HR Issues: In severe cases, particularly if behavior is
discriminatory or harassing, there could be legal or HR consequences for both
the individual and the organization.

To minimize negative consequences and maximize positive outcomes when dealing

with difficult people, it's important to approach each situation with patience,
empathy, and a focus on constructive solutions. Seeking support from colleagues,
mentors, or HR professionals can also be beneficial in navigating challenging
interactions effectively.

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 CONCLUSION
We have already seen that dealing with difficult people is somewhat complicated, so it is advisable not to

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Alejandra Otero

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Stacey Williams

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Sunei Samaniego

8
 BIBLIOGRAFIA

https://www.betterup.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-difficult-people
https://managementtraininginstitute.com/10-tactics-for-working-with-difficult-people/
https://www.thetoxicpeopledetox.com/consequences- difficultpeople/#:~:text=It%20is%20a%20scary
%20thought,negatively%20impact%20your%20heart%2 0health.
https://www.elconfidencial.com/alma-corazon-vida/2015-03-21/15-tacticas-que-usan-los-
profesionales-para-tratar-con-personas-dificiles_722231/
https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/young-adults/relationships-social-skills/difficult-people