There are a lot of toxic people in the world, and we might have to engage with them. They could be our bosses, coworkers, relatives, friends, or anybody else with whom we have a relationship.
What can we do to communicate with them without becoming frustrated?
Here are seven suggestions for dealing with toxic individuals.
Don't be a jerk.
The first step is to maintain your composure. This isn't always straightforward, but it's crucial. You won't give the other person fodder to use against you, and you might be able to avoid the fight growing.
Even if you're feeling irritated, concentrate on a few crucial points. Don't scream or raise your voice in any way. Use no slurs, threats, or anything that is unduly rude. Otherwise, the person will be more likely to disregard what you're saying and play the victim.
Remember this quote: "Do not let other people's actions disturb your inner calm."
Before the conversation, gather your facts.
Before initiating a conversation, it's a good idea to have your facts straight. It's critical that you arrive with confidence in what you know and believe. It helps to match the other person's confidence. You might need some strong facts-based arguments to persuade them and keep them from overwhelming you.
Don't exaggerate your praise.
Even if you want to soften the person a little, it's crucial to maintain your cool and avoid offering them too much praise, which will fuel their ego. If you don't, the other person may become less eager to compromise.
To be diplomatic, avoid being dishonest and instead attempt to identify a detail or a trait that you can compliment with honesty, but don't feel obligated to praise them all of the time.
Say no emphatically.
A toxic person is predisposed to pay less attention to others and is far more likely to interpret events in their own favor. If you say anything like "I'll think about it" or "Maybe," they can interpret it as a yes and act accordingly later.
It's critical to express no in a clear and concise manner, preferably with the word NO in the sentence. A no does not have to be a negative word, especially if it is delivered in a courteous and calm manner.
If at all feasible, keep a record.
Another helpful idea, particularly in the office, is to keep a record of any key interactions. To back up what was said verbally, you may send text messages or emails. Make a note of what you discussed and make sure you have a record of the messages you need to get through to them.
This will offer you with a record that you may exhibit to third parties as well as to yourself. If at all possible, you should have essential conversations in front of other people.
Having others to fall rely on can give you more confidence in future talks or disagreements.
Establish a good working relationship.
Attempting to establish some rapport can be beneficial. Use an icebreaker or find a topic in common with the other person. Be pleasant and polite to begin the conversation. This can help you establish the tone for the conversation by allowing the other person to relax a little and become more open to hearing your point of view.
While many toxic people might be annoying, assuming that they will be rational and pleasant to begin with can make the conversation more civilized on both sides.
It is worth a shot, even if it does not always function as intended.
Prioritize your goals.
You may feel compelled to overrule them on many of their proposals or to correct them on many of their statements; but, it may be more productive to resist that urge. A toxic person will want to get their way as much as possible, and you may give in as much as you can.
Concentrate your efforts on the things that actually matter, and leave the rest to them. For example, you might agree to certain minor tweaks but not to anything that fundamentally alters the essence of a task. Don't squander your time and money on frivolous pursuits.
