8 ways to handle difficult people

Everyone knows managing stress is a must in the workplace. However, what happens when people, rather than tasks, are the source of that stress? Here are some tactics to effectively manage relationships with difficult people, when it is not an option to end those relationships, adapted from Forbes.

1. Set limits on interactions with negative people. Listen, and then ask them how they intend to move forward with a problem.

2. Choose battles wisely. Sometimes, settling in for the long haul is not a good strategy for conflict management.

3. Recognize when your buttons are being pushed.

4. Establish personal boundaries. Figure out when it is necessary and unnecessary to respond to difficult individuals.

5. Make satisfaction and accomplishment self-motivated. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

6. Rather than focusing on problems, focus energy on solutions to problems.

7. Forgive, but don't forget. Forgiveness is essential to moving forward in a productive relationship, but it's useful to remember the situations that might become tricky to negotiate so they can be smooth sailing in the future.

8. Take care of yourself. Sleep, don't drink too much caffeine and use your support system to give yourself the proper set of tools for dealing with difficult people.

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