7 Tips to Stay Productive When Working With People You Don't Like

A perfect workplace doesn't exist. Each work environment has its own issues; some are easy to put up with, others not so much.

Of all the issues you may encounter at work, collaborating with people you don't get along with is the most critical.

No matter where you go, there will always be someone you'd prefer not to interact with. That person can be your subordinate, a superior, or someone working alongside you on a project.

Keeping up with a situation like this may sound easy, but it's not. Working with someone you don't like can critically affect your efficiency and lower your productivity.

Therefore, it's essential that you come up with an action plan to conquer your to-do list without the situation affecting your physical or mental well-being.

Here are the 7 tips to stay productive when working with people you don't like.

1. Get Acquainted With Them

Sometimes, the reason you don't get along with someone at work is that you don't know them, and vice versa. You probably had some unpleasant interactions with them in the past and a few misunderstandings that fostered a toxic work relationship.

You didn't get to know the real them, and neither did they get to know the real you. And that's where the problem lies.

And now you're both working on the same project, and neither of you is happy about it. To fix this, it's recommended that you look past the differences and find the similarities between you and the other person.

Brooding about the situation won't fix it. So get out of your comfort zone and try to get to know them better. This won't be easy, and you might not get a positive reaction from the other person at first. 

But when the dust settles, you may find the other person to be more likable than you originally thought and figure out a way to get along with them just fine.

2. Keep Things Strictly Professional

Let's be honest here. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. You may often have to work with people you don't like, and there's nothing you can do about it. However, what you can do is keep things strictly professional.

You don't have to like someone or get along with them to do your job. You've been assigned a task, and you have to complete it, even if it requires you to collaborate with people you don't like.

So, just be professional about it and keep your eye on the prize, because that's the ultimate growth hack.

3. Be a Better Person

When working with people you don't like, be a better person and try to get along with them. You don't have to make grand gestures to ensure fruitful relationships. Just try not to be reactive and steer clear of petty arguments.

The goal is not to change their perception of you or alter their personality but rather to avoid confrontations. So, try to stay positive, even when provoked. It's not going to be easy, but it's something you must do to put the company's vision before your personal goals and agendas.

4. Set Clear Boundaries

It can be difficult to collaborate with people at work who are pushy. They flood your inbox with emails and demand follow-ups even when you're not working. This can be frustrating and severely affect your productivity.

To let your work stand out, it's essential that you deal with situations like these by setting clear boundaries and clearly communicating them with your peers. This will enable you to keep up with your deliverables without having to let someone walk over you.

5. Be the One in Control

Being in control doesn't mean dominating the other person you work with, but rather being the sane one of the two. If the other person throws needless tantrums and you return the favor with the same intensity, there won't be a difference between you two.

So, maintain your composure at all times. Take a step back if you have to in order to avoid an argument. Just concentrate on the task at hand and communicate with them in a humble way. This may convince the other person to reconsider their choices and call a truce.

6. Sort It Out

It's never too late to sort out your issues with people you don't get along with. This may be easier said than done, but since you're not left with many options, sorting things out might be a logical choice to consider.

The goal here is to identify your differences with the other person and find a way to fix things. So, for this intervention to work, both parties have to be invested.

And when you do this, things can get awkward. But you have to stay headstrong. It's neither about you nor them but getting the work done and growing together as professionals.

So, it's highly recommended to involve your superior or HR if you choose to go this route as they'd act as mediators and help you reach an optimal solution.

7. Take a Break

This may sound like running from your problems, but it's not like that. It's not easy to stay productive while having to collaborate with people you don't get along with. So, taking a break from work helps replenish your energy and decreases the likelihood of burnout.

There's an extent to which we can bear toxicity. It eventually starts affecting our behavior, and that can make things worse. So, disconnecting yourself from the toxic people at work is a wise choice to consider, as it benefits your physical and mental health.

It doesn't matter if you're working on-site or remotely. Take a breather, as it allows you to replenish your energy and helps increase your productivity.

It's a Wrap

There you have it, the 7 tips to staying productive when working with people you don't like. If you've been struggling to collaborate with people at work due to your differences, consider the recommendations listed and see if they work for you.