In every workplace, there are people — many of whom have earned respect and positions of power — who behave in ways that are thoughtless, ambiguous, irrational, and even sometimes downright malicious.
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3 Types of Difficult Coworkers and How to Work with Them
You don’t have to put up with bad behavior.
May 30, 2023
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Summary.
Building a relationship with a difficult colleague may seem hard, but it’s a skill you can learn. In this piece, the author outlines three common archetypes of difficult coworkers — the pessimist, the passive-aggressive peer, and the know-it-all — and offers practical ways to manage your relationship with each of them. Sometimes trying something new, even something small, can shift the dynamic between you and a coworker who gets under your skin.
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Difficult Interactions Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Difficult Interactions. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Learn how to resolve those inevitable workplace conflicts.
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New!
HBR Learning
HBR Learning
Difficult Interactions Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Difficult Interactions. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Learn how to resolve those inevitable workplace conflicts.