how to deal with difficult coworkers

Deal with difficult coworkers by focusing on specific behaviors, maintaining professionalism, and setting clear boundaries.

Focus on behavior, not personality. Focus on observable behaviors and their impact on your work rather than labeling the person's personality, which helps keep conversations objective and reduces defensiveness.
Use "I" statements for feedback. Use "I" statements to express how a specific behavior affects your work, which invites collaboration rather than confrontation. Avoid "you" statements that can sound accusatory.
Document repeated issues. Keep a private, factual record of repeated problematic behaviors, including dates, times, and impacts, to provide evidence if you need to escalate the issue to management or HR.
Avoid office gossip. Avoid venting to other team members, as this creates gossip and can damage your own reputation. Instead, address the issue directly or seek guidance from a mentor or manager.