Combative coworkers can be toxic to any workplace, bringing down morale and lowering productivity. It’s very likely that you’ll find yourself in the position to deal with a fellow employee who is being belligerent. When that happens, what are your options? A career coach with over 30 years of experience, Margaret M. Enloe, Esq. in New York City, NY, offers some useful advice below on how to address difficult coworkers.

3 Tips for Dealing With a Difficult Co-Worker

1. Keep Your Cool

While it’s easy to respond to anger with anger, the situation will not improve and you risk further escalating an already tense conversation. Career coaches know that your best option is to keep talking in a calm and easy tone and refrain from engaging in a verbal fight. Doing so can cause the aggressive coworker to back down as you won’t be giving them the response they’re looking for.

2. Notify Someone

Your best course of action when dealing with a hostile or combative coworker is to make your boss or someone in HR aware of what is happening. Don’t assume people know what is going on. 

3. Bring Attention to the “Bully’s” Actions

Hostile coworkers often raise their voice during an argument or demonstrate unprofessional behavior such as swearing or hitting an object. When this happens, you can divert their focus from the discussion by commenting on their actions and asking that they stop if they wish to continue talking. This manner of response can help an argument fizzle out for the moment as the employee is currently thrown off by your response to their behavior rather than to their words.

If you’re experiencing trouble dealing with a combative or hostile coworker, look to a legal career coach like Margaret M. Enloe, Esq. to provide you with the best advice. You can learn more about her services at her website. Or, call Margaret today at (646) 872-3674 to schedule an appointment and improve your career success.