How can you build confidence when dealing with difficult coworkers or managers?

Dealing with difficult coworkers or managers can be stressful and frustrating, especially if you feel like your voice is not heard or your work is not appreciated. However, you don't have to let these situations undermine your confidence and performance. In this article, you will learn some practical strategies to build your confidence when facing career challenges and communicate effectively with difficult people.

1 Identify the source of difficulty

The first step to building confidence is to understand why you are having trouble with a coworker or manager. Is it a personality clash, a misunderstanding, a lack of feedback, or a conflict of interest? Try to analyze the situation objectively and empathetically, and avoid making assumptions or judgments. By identifying the source of difficulty, you can find ways to address it constructively and respectfully.

Add your perspective

Jominy J.

Career coach| Empowering Mid-Career Professionals to Navigate Interviews, Career breaks & Career Transitions Successfully through personalized coaching| Skill Development Trainer I Researcher| PhD in Career Management
Report contribution
When dealing with difficult coworkers/managers, it's crucial to figure out what's causing the issues. People have different personalities and ways of communicating, so it's important to consider whether your own actions or theirs are causing the problem. Reflecting on how you behave and trying to see things from your coworker's perspective can help you understand what might be causing conflicts

Like

2 Set clear and realistic expectations

Another way to build confidence is to set clear and realistic expectations for yourself and others. This means communicating your goals, needs, and boundaries in a polite and assertive way, and asking for clarification or feedback when needed. It also means accepting your limitations, acknowledging your achievements, and celebrating your progress. By setting clear and realistic expectations, you can avoid disappointment, frustration, and resentment, and focus on what you can control and improve.

Add your perspective

3 Seek support and guidance

You don't have to deal with difficult coworkers or managers alone. You can seek support and guidance from your peers, mentors, or coaches, who can offer you advice, feedback, or encouragement. You can also join a professional network or community, where you can share your experiences, learn from others, and find new opportunities. By seeking support and guidance, you can gain new perspectives, insights, and skills, and boost your confidence and motivation.

Add your perspective

4 Develop your emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own and others' emotions. It can help you build confidence by enhancing your communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. To develop your emotional intelligence, you can practice self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. For example, you can reflect on your feelings and reactions, calm yourself down when stressed or angry, listen actively and respectfully to others, and express yourself clearly and confidently.

Add your perspective

Tony Byrnes

Program Management Executive | PMP & PMI-ACP | New Market Expansion | BEAD Funding | Servant Leadership | Telecom Consultant
Report contribution
Reflection is the biggest tool in your arsenal when it comes to building up your EQ. The reality is that we’re all humans, not machines, so you won’t always be self aware enough in the middle of an event to practice how you should react. Give yourself a break and think each day on the events of that day and work from there.

Like

5 Learn from feedback and mistakes

Feedback and mistakes are inevitable and valuable sources of learning and growth. They can help you build confidence by showing you your strengths and areas for improvement, and by challenging you to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. To learn from feedback and mistakes, you can adopt a growth mindset, which means seeing them as opportunities rather than failures. You can also ask for constructive feedback, accept it graciously, and act on it accordingly. Moreover, you can analyze your mistakes, learn from them, and move on without dwelling on them.

Add your perspective

6 Celebrate your successes

Finally, you can build confidence by celebrating your successes, big or small. This means recognizing and appreciating your efforts, results, and contributions, and rewarding yourself for them. You can also share your successes with others, such as your coworkers, managers, or mentors, and receive their recognition and praise. By celebrating your successes, you can reinforce your positive self-image, increase your self-esteem, and inspire yourself and others to keep striving for excellence.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

How can you build confidence when dealing with difficult coworkers or managers?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify the source of difficulty

2 Set clear and realistic expectations

3 Seek support and guidance

4 Develop your emotional intelligence

5 Learn from feedback and mistakes

6 Celebrate your successes

7 Here’s what else to consider

Career Development Coaching

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Career Development Coaching

More relevant reading

How can you build confidence when dealing with difficult coworkers or managers?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify the source of difficulty

2 Set clear and realistic expectations

3 Seek support and guidance

4 Develop your emotional intelligence

5 Learn from feedback and mistakes

6 Celebrate your successes

7 Here’s what else to consider

Career Development Coaching

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills