How do your work with someone you don’t like?

Working well with someone you don’t like and respect can be unbearable, but it’s often a necessary skill in a professional setting.

Here are some strategies:

Be realistic:

‍Is what you don’t like about this person really a deal breaker? Is it your ego that is blocking you? These are real challenges for all of us sometimes. If there really is something that you can’t live with it will poison the relationship, but if you can convert what you don’t like into a personal growth opportunity you will find ways to move forward and focus successfully. You have to want to make this work and to always have good reasons for doing so at the front of your mind. Your internal executive, calm and mature thinking system.

Personal Growth:

Ambitious individuals often seek opportunities for learning and development. The pursuit of ambitious goals can lead to continuous personal growth, as individuals acquire new skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Manage Emotions:

‍Practice emotional intelligence by managing your own emotions and responses. Be aware of your triggers and develop strategies to remain composed in challenging situations. For example: the mantra I value me / I value you! Sometimes all you need is a stop button to press and buy time to switch to higher level of thinking.

While certain people bring numerous challenges, remember that staying flexible and willing to learn can contribute to the richness of your journey toward a successful life.

Separate Personal Feelings:

‍Focus on the tasks at hand rather than dwelling on personal differences.

Use good questions:

‍Open started questions with a helpful tone will guide better discussion. For example, what’s good about this? Beware of asking questions that could be perceived as an attack or criticism, why not or why is that? for example. Remember that tone and body language can transform what you are communicating.

Find Common Ground:

‍Identify common goals or interests related to the work you’re doing. This shared ground can be a foundation for a more positive working relationship, even if you don’t necessarily get along personally.

Effective Communication:

‍Communication can start with listening. Miscommunication can exacerbate conflict. Be concise, listen actively, and ask clarifying questions to ensure a mutual understanding. You are not always right and sometimes you need to process what is being said to you. Think in ink is a valuable strategy.

Set Boundaries:

Establish clear boundaries to protect yourself from unnecessary stress. Limit interactions to work-related matters whenever possible and avoid getting drawn into personal conflicts.

Focus on the Task, not the Person:

Concentrate on the tasks at hand rather than on the individual. This can help you maintain a professional mindset and prevent personal feelings from interfering with your work.

Maintain Professionalism:

‍Treat the person with respect and courtesy, regardless of your personal feelings. Keep interactions polite and business-focused.

Use a sounding board or mentor:

A good sounding board will listen to you and help you to clarify your thoughts. Too many people fight their battles alone and make mistakes because of this. Don’t let your ego prevent you from going to higher levels of thinking and asking for guidance or for someone to just help you clarify your thinking.

Focus on Your Well-being:

Prioritise your well-being. If the situation becomes too stressful or toxic, explore ways to minimise its impact on your mental health. This might involve seeking support from colleagues, friends, or a mentor.

Set Professional Goals:

Establish professional goals for yourself and your team. Focusing on shared objectives can create a sense of purpose and unity, even in challenging relationships. Remember you’re your views people can change when you get to know them better or what drives them better.

Listen:

Sometimes the best thing you can do to help someone or a relationship is to listen. To gain influence you have to be open to being influenced.

Use the relationship investment account:

‍All relationships have these, sometimes you need to find creative ways to invest before you can make withdrawals.

“The quality of your thinking creates the quality of your life”