We need to interact with a wide variety of people on a daily basis. Some of these people are friendly and polite, while others can be difficult and aggressive. Unfortunately, we can’t always avoid difficult people, and instead we have to figure out how to manage them in our lives as best as we can.
If you have aggressive, controlling, or manipulative people that you have to work with or interact with frequently, there are ways to make sure you aren’t influenced by this kind of behavior. You can learn how to turn this aggression into cooperation and respect with these tips:
- Don’t allow yourself to be controlled. Some people want to be intimidating, manipulative, and controlling, but their power only extends to how much you let them get away with. Make sure you hold your ground and resist being moved, especially with it isn’t in your best interest.
2. Examine their intentions. It’s pretty easy to sense when someone is manipulating you in order to get something that they want. Sometimes this is as simple as a boss just trying to get the work done; other times, it can be more aggressive or personal. Sometimes aggression isn’t aggression, but is someone being really passionate about their job or a topic they really believe in. Examine their intentions first before you react to them.
3. They’re always right. Aggressive people often feel that their way is always the right way. They want to push their agenda on other people. They don’t see other methods of working or thinking and have a hard time compromising. You should stick to your guns and resist the urge to give in to their pressure.
4. They intimidate others. The loudest person in the room often gets the most attention. This behavior can be a cover for self-esteem and confidence problems. If you have to deal with intimidating people at work or at home, remember that giving into their intimidation can make the problem worse. Practice being polite but assertive.
5. Do not give in. It’s not always a big deal to let someone have their way ever so often. However, this can lead to bad habits, too. Surrendering to the loudest or most aggressive voice in the room isn’t always the way to go; you need to stand up for yourself and what you believe in, especially when you know you are right. You are not a door mat, so don’t behave like one.
6. You are the boss of you. You can’t always change how other people are behaving, but you can control your reaction to them. Be polite, firm, and assertive. You know what is best for you and your job, and you should be able to make yourself the space to do what you need to do.
Aggressive and difficult people happen. We can learn a lot from their behavior and our reactions to them, just as we can make a solid effort to not act like that ourselves.
