Most people have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with an unprofessional person at some point in their lives. Maybe it was a rude customer service representative or an obnoxious co-worker, but whatever the situation, it can be difficult to maintain your composure and, sometimes, your mental health. Here are ten ways to deal with someone being unprofessional so that you can keep your cool and stay focused on what’s important.
5 Main Reasons People Act Unprofessionally In The First Place
1. People can be unprofessional because they are rude and disrespectful people in general. This is often seen in customer service interactions, where the representative is condescending or even hostile to the customer.
2. People can also be unprofessional because they are going through a rough time. When stress takes it’s toll, the ability to maintain a professional attitude can go out the window.
3. People can also be unprofessional because they are irresponsible and lack common courtesy. This might manifest itself as people not following through on commitments, coming in late, or taking advantage of others.
4. Unprofessionalism can also be about attitude – for example, people who are generally negative or enjoy gossiping can be very unprofessional.
5. Finally, some people may be unprofessional simply because they do not know any better – for example, someone who is new to a job and is still learning the ropes. Or they just don’t know that their attitude is not appropriate.
10 Ways To Deal With Someone Who Is Being Unprofessional
1. Take A Deep Breath And Count To 10
When you’re feeling stress or anger start to bubble up, it’s important to take a step back and calm yourself down. Take a few deep breaths and count to 10 slowly. This will help you clear your head and think more clearly about how to deal with the situation.
2. Identify The Problem
Before you can deal with someone being unprofessional, you need to identify what the problem is.
Is this person simply rude, or are they actually crossing boundaries and being inappropriate?
Once you know what the issue is, you can start to figure out how to deal with it.
3. Set Boundaries
If the person you’re dealing with is being rude or crossing boundaries, it’s important to set some clear boundaries.
Let them know in no uncertain terms that their behavior is not acceptable. This will help to establish a boundary between you and the other person and will hopefully make them think twice before behaving badly again.
4. Speak To A Manager Or Human Resources
If the person you’re dealing with is an employee of a company, it’s important to speak to their manager or human resources department. This can help to nip the problem in the bud and will let the company know that their employee is behaving badly. It can also help solve any unresolved issues you are having.
5. Keep A Record
If you’re having difficulties with someone at work, it’s important to keep a record of the incidents. This can be helpful if you need to speak to a manager or human resources, as it will provide them with a clear picture of what’s been going on.
6. Avoid Negative Confrontation
Negative confrontation is rarely productive, so it’s best to avoid it if possible. If you do need to speak to the person who is being unprofessional, try to do so in a calm and rational manner. This will help to diffuse the situation and may make the other person more receptive to what you have to say.
7. Don’t Take It Personally
It’s important to remember that the other person’s behavior is not about you. They may be having a bad day, or they may simply be a rude person, but either way, their behavior has nothing to do with you.
Try to detach yourself from the situation as much as possible, and don’t let it get to you.
8. Focus On The Positive
When you’re dealing with an unprofessional person, it’s easy to focus on the negative aspects of the situation. However, it’s important to try and focus on the positive as well. This can help you to keep things in perspective and maintain your mental health.
9. Seek Support From Others
If you’re struggling to deal with someone being unprofessional, it’s important to seek support from others.
Talk to a friend or family member about the situation and get their advice on how to deal with it. This can be a great way to vent your frustrations and get some helpful perspectives.
10. Move Past It
Do not dwell on the situation for too long. Yes, it’s important to process what happened, but you don’t want to dwell on it and let it consume you. Once you’ve dealt with the situation in the best way possible, try to move past it and focus on the positive things in your life.
