It can be difficult living or working with people who have very different personalities or beliefs from you. However, you should not treat any person who you can't tolerate with disdain or intolerance. By giving the person a chance and avoiding destructive exchanges by acting with civility and respect, you can tolerate those persons with whom you have a personality clash.
Steps
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Identify your problem with the person. In many cases, a personality conflict arises because of expectations, differences of opinion, or some other underlying issue. [1] X Expert Source Nicolette Tura, MA
Empowerment Expert Expert Interview. 28 January 2020. Identifying what your problem is with a person may help you realize that your conflict is foolish, which in turn may help you build a positive relationship with the person. [2] X Research source- Consider if you've had a bad experience with the person, or if you're relying on rumors or someone else's conflict to inform your opinion on the other person. [3] X Research source
- If you've had a legitimate problem with the person, addressing it can be the first step to resolving the issue.
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Take responsibility for your actions. You are in control your actions and many of the negative attitudes you harbor are influenced directly by you. By taking responsibility for your interactions with a person you can't tolerate, you can begin to move forward in your relationship with the person. [4] X Research source
- Negative thoughts cultivate negative actions. If you decide to give the person a legitimate chance, you may help cultivate positive changes in your interactions with them. [5] X Research source
- For example, if you are in a meeting or in a class with this person and they start to speak, don't immediately tune them out. Instead, listen closely and see the positive in their statements. If you can't find anything, tell yourself it took a lot of courage to speak up. [6]
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Expert Source
Nicolette Tura, MA
Empowerment Expert Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
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Consider the other person's perspectives. Every person has their own perspectives and opinions that are formed based on their experiences. Consider where this person is coming from in their behaviors. [7] X Expert Source Nicolette Tura, MA
Empowerment Expert Expert Interview. 28 January 2020. By acknowledging that she perspectives that differ from yours can help you to give the person a chance. [8] X Research source- You cannot begin to shift your relationship with the person until you acknowledge that your truth is not the only or right view.
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Let go of your expectations. Conflict can begin with expectations of others. [9] X Expert Source Nicolette Tura, MA
Empowerment Expert Expert Interview. 28 January 2020. Letting go of unrealistic or negative expectations may not only help you change your attitude on the person, but could also sew the seeds of a more positive environment. [10] X Research source- Accept that no person is perfect. Imperfection adds character and letting go of any expectations of perfection will help you focus on the positive in others. [11] X Research source
- If the person says something negative, consider it briefly and then let it go. Being negative can only cause further problems. [12] X Research source
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Accept the person as they are. Holding a grudge and dwelling on conflict will only exacerbate problems. Accepting the person as they are and letting go of conflict can help you to move on in your interactions. [13] X Research source
- Acceptance can help remove negative attitudes towards the person and help you give the person a chance to redeem herself. It can also decrease stress and in your life. [14] X Research source
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See the positive qualities in the person. Holding on to negative thoughts and attitudes about another person is draining and if you constantly entertain them, they can become stronger. [15] X Expert Source Nicolette Tura, MA
Empowerment Expert Expert Interview. 28 January 2020. Learning to see the positive in any person may help to shift your relationship with her. [16] X Research source- Even the worst person has good qualities. It might take some time to recognize them, but being able to see the positive traits in a person can help you to give her a chance.
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Get to know the person. Ask the person if you can have a friendly conversation and exchange views with her. This kind of conversation can help you to understand her viewpoints and may provide you context or information that can change your opinion of her.
- Ask your conversation mate lots of questions so that you have a chance to get to know them more than superficially.
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Be respectful and don't debate with the person. Always be respectful of other person and don't debate or fight with the person about his views or experiences. Being respectful and not arguing can give you the chance to consider his perspectives. You may find that even if you don't agree with the person, that she isn't as insufferable as you thought. [17] X Research source
- Remember that you can learn from any conversation and arguing is counterproductive to moving on in your relationship. [18] X Research source
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Determine the source of your conflict. Your conflict with an intolerable person likely arises from a difference of opinion or intolerance help you avoid situations where you're likely to encounter the person's offending behaviors. [19] X Research source
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Accept the difference and move on. Acknowledge that the other person clashes with you. This can help you move on from any situation in which you may encounter the person and not get irritated when you do see her. [20] X Research source
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Stay polite and professional. No matter how insufferable the person is, always remain polite and professional. Not only can disengaging keep a bad situation from escalating but will also cast you in a much more positive light. [21] X Research source
- Always be polite to others, even if they aren't to you. The truism “you win more bees with honey than vinegar” is something you can apply to any aspect of your life and relationships with other people. Leaving a bad impression on colleagues or friends because you lost your cool can have lasting consequences for you. [22] X Research source
- Remember to extend civility because the person may be going through something about which you have no idea. This doesn't legitimate bad behavior on their part, but it also doesn't mean you have to rise to their aggression. [23] X Research source
- You can't control all situations or people, but you can choose how you'll respond to them. [24]
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Expert Source
Nicolette Tura, MA
Empowerment Expert Expert Interview. 28 January 2020. Meeting the person with positivity will keep your attitude positive and may also result in a positive resolution to anything. [25] X Research source - For example, if someone sends you a nasty email, don't react to it immediately. Draft a response and wait 24 hours to send it. Revisit the email the next day and you will likely tone down your response, which can keep a situation from escalating.
- If something bad happens, such as losing your job, thank your employer for the opportunity and say “this is a change to find something better that I truly love.”
- Taking this tactic can also let the other person think they're in control of the situation, which you may need to do to avoid her further. [26] X Research source
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Limit contact with the person. If you are constantly exposed to the intolerable person, it can have significant impact on your attitude. Limiting or stopping contact with the person can help decrease the stress you experience in their presence. [27] X Research source
- If you can't remove a person from your life entirely, or you don't want to hurt him, you can limit your exposure to him. [28] X Research source
- You can also counteract the person's negativity by pointing out the positive in what he says or does. This way, you don't get drawn down his negative path. [29] X Research source
- There are different ways to limit contact with the person. For example, if you are at a meeting or in a class, don't sit near them or move if they are close to you. This also works in social settings.
- If you have to engage with the person either professionally or personally, remember to keep the contact civil and polite. Keep what you say limited and watch that you don't use any inflammatory language or statements that may be misinterpreted.
- You can always cancel events or call in sick if you absolutely cannot handle dealing with the person in question.
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Get mediation from an independent person. If all other tactics to tolerate a person with whom you clash fail, have an independent person act as a mediator. This measure can help diffuse the situation and may find a more constructive and less destructive way for you to proceed in your relationship to the person. [30] X Research source
- Mediators can be any authority figure such as a boss or a teacher.
- It's important that you not involve mutual friends to mediate. This could cause you to lose friends.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you prevent personality clashes at work?Nicolette Tura is an Empowerment Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a decade of experience creating change in various non-profits then went on to operate her own wellness business for 10 years. Most recently, she worked as a Therapy Associate to a chiropractic neurologist for 15 months working hands-on with patients, helping them heal from neurological disorders like concussions, long covid, migraines, and more. Nicolette guides groups and individuals on transformative meditation journeys and game-changing mindset management workshops and retreats on empowering everyone to keep expanding beyond past conditioning and self-limiting beliefs. Nicolette is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with a Psychology & Mindfulness Major, a NASM certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, and an expert in psychophysiology with experience in nervous system regulation and breath work. She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master’s degree is Sociology from San Jose State UniversityTry to talk out your issues in a polite, respectful way. Get the ball rolling by asking something like "Is this a good time to have a conversation?" It's always better to gauge the person's mood first so you don't ambush them on a day when they're in a bad headspace.
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QuestionHow do you talk through a disagreement?Nicolette Tura is an Empowerment Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a decade of experience creating change in various non-profits then went on to operate her own wellness business for 10 years. Most recently, she worked as a Therapy Associate to a chiropractic neurologist for 15 months working hands-on with patients, helping them heal from neurological disorders like concussions, long covid, migraines, and more. Nicolette guides groups and individuals on transformative meditation journeys and game-changing mindset management workshops and retreats on empowering everyone to keep expanding beyond past conditioning and self-limiting beliefs. Nicolette is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with a Psychology & Mindfulness Major, a NASM certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, and an expert in psychophysiology with experience in nervous system regulation and breath work. She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master’s degree is Sociology from San Jose State UniversityTry to start the conversation with gratitude and appreciation. You start off by saying "I really appreciate everything you do" before diving into the root of the issue.
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QuestionWhat if this person is a friend who really likes me but who I think is annoying?Community AnswerLimit your time with this person. Or, spend time with him in a group or larger setting that takes the pressure off you being one on one, which can lead to more feelings of annoyance.
Tips
- It is good to be kind, loving, soft, and gentle. It may seem hard, but this is sometimes better than more negative and/or permanent measures.Thanks
- Recognize when positive measures may not work. You are ultimately the judge of your situation. Choose wisely before acting on impulse alone.Thanks
Warnings
- If someone is repeatedly disrespectful, rude, threatening, or violent towards you then it might be better to solve the problem permanently.Thanks
References
- ↑ Nicolette Tura, MA. Empowerment Expert. Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
- ↑ http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-to-handle-personality-conflicts-at-work.html
- ↑ http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-to-handle-personality-conflicts-at-work.html
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200612/when-personalities-clash
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200612/when-personalities-clash
- ↑ Nicolette Tura, MA. Empowerment Expert. Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
- ↑ Nicolette Tura, MA. Empowerment Expert. Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
- ↑ http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-to-handle-personality-conflicts-at-work.html
- ↑ Nicolette Tura, MA. Empowerment Expert. Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200612/when-personalities-clash
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200612/when-personalities-clash
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200612/when-personalities-clash
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200612/when-personalities-clash
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200612/when-personalities-clash
- ↑ Nicolette Tura, MA. Empowerment Expert. Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200612/when-personalities-clash
- ↑ http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-to-handle-personality-conflicts-at-work.html
- ↑ http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-to-handle-personality-conflicts-at-work.html
- ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2012/09/14/how-to-deal-with-coworkers-you-cant-stand/
- ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2012/09/14/how-to-deal-with-coworkers-you-cant-stand/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200612/when-personalities-clash
- ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/amyanderson/2013/05/01/admitting-you-were-wrong-doesnt-make-you-weak-it-makes-you-awesome/
- ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2012/09/14/how-to-deal-with-coworkers-you-cant-stand
- ↑ Nicolette Tura, MA. Empowerment Expert. Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200612/when-personalities-clash
- ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2012/09/14/how-to-deal-with-coworkers-you-cant-stand/
- ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2012/09/14/how-to-deal-with-coworkers-you-cant-stand/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200612/when-personalities-clash
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200612/when-personalities-clash
- ↑ http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-to-handle-personality-conflicts-at-work.html
About This Article
To tolerate someone whose personality clashes with your own, stay polite and professional when you have to interact with that person. For example, if they say something you disagree with, reply with a vague statement like, "That's interesting." On the other hand, if they say something mean to you, don't react immediately. Instead, take a deep breath before responding calmly with something like, "I'm sorry you feel that way." For more tips on how to handle someone whose personality you don't get along with, like how to prevent an argument from getting out of hand, read on!
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