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News Sept. 7, 2022

How can you get along with difficult co-workers?

Interpersonal conflict happens at every workplace and can lead to mistakes, reduced creativity and poor decision-making.

Harvard Business Review offers four ways to work more effectively when you have a conflict with a co-worker.

  1. Understand your perspective is limited. Not everyone will agree with you all the time. When conflicts arise, ask yourself questions such as: What if I am wrong? How would I change my behavior? What assumptions have I made?
  2. View the conflict as a problem you can solve together. Understand the outcome you want. Do you want to get a project completed? Do you want to build a healthy working relationship that will last? Decide on your goals before interacting with your co-worker.
  3. Avoid venting and gossip. Choose the individuals you talk to—and the information you share—carefully. Find people who are constructive, discreet, have your best interests at heart and will challenge your perspective when they disagree.
  4. Experiment to find what works. Start with two or three methods you want to test. For example, if you want to improve communications with a grumpy co-worker, decide that for two weeks you will ignore his or her tone and focus on the substance of your co-worker's message.
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