How To Deal With Challenging Personalities In Pro Wrestling
Difficult people do exist at any given type of work and professional wrestling is not an exception. Bottom line is, no workplace is without them. Not because pro wrestling is mostly about fighting, doesn’t mean you have to deal with things like a title match. Pro wrestling should and must also be treated as a professional work environment like any other employment. And because of that, those who work in the pro wrestling business should deal with issues in a professional manner. How difficult dealing with a person will depend on different factors like your attitude, confidence and your professional etiquette.
It’s easier dealing with challenging personalities when it’s one on one. However, dealing with challenging personalities is much tougher when they are attacking you without others being aware of it.
There are different types of people with different personality traits. Some talks constantly and never listen, some wants to be the boss, some have professional commitment issues and the list goes on. Difficult coworkers compete with you for power, privilege, and the spotlight; some even go too far by making themselves look good at your expense.
They all have one thing in common. You must address them. No matter the type of difficult situation in which you find yourself, dealing with difficult people or situations is a must.
Why You Must Deal With Difficult People
Not addressing them will not make your situation get better. If left unaddressed, it usually gets worse.
You might get shocked when people treat you unprofessionally and shock is the normal initial reaction. So take your time to think and understand exactly what is happening. Once you are fully aware of the situation, then you should start thinking about how you should professionally deal with it.
The feeling of anger without any resolution is irrational and you’re better off addressing every situation professionally in a calm manner. Fighting fire with fire will only make things worse.
Constant complaining about the coworker or situation can quickly earn you the title of whiner or complainer. Managers will wonder why you are unable to solve your own problems – regardless if you are just being vocal about the situation.
The Worst Case Scenario If You Fail to Deal With Difficult People
Your other co-workers might even think that you can’t handle situations in a mature professional manner and you could be labeled as a difficult person yourself if you don’t handle the situation appropriately.
Finally, if the situation continues to deteriorate over time, the organization and your boss may tire of you. The boss may decide you are a “high maintenance” employee, easily replaced with a more professional or cooperative person, and you could lose your job.
Dealing With the Difficult Coworker
Confronting bullies publicly can often lead to making thing bad for both parties. Let’s look at more productive ways to address your difficult coworker.
Start out by examining yourself. Are you sure that the other person is really the problem and that you’re not overreacting? Have you always experienced difficulty with the same type of person or actions?
Is there a pattern in your interaction with coworkers? Do you recognize that you have buttons that are easily pushed? Always examine yourself first to determine that the problem is the other person and not you.
Brainstorm with a colleague who is neutral about the situation. It is going to be difficult to assess the situation alone; especially if you are already emotionally affected. Thus, having a neutral opinion is a must.
Approaching the person with whom you are having the problem for a private discussion is one of the most direct and effective way of doing it. Talk to the coworker about what you are experiencing. Do not try to include other’s experience in the conversation. Focus on how his or her actions have direct impact on you. Avoid speaking for others as much as possible. Also, focusing on how their actions are affecting you would be a more neutral approach because this will eliminate giving the other person an impression that you are accusing him of something. You are just stating facts about how his actions are affecting you.
Be pleasant and agreeable as you talk with the other person.
During the course of the conversation, they may try to deny it or justify their actions. Unfortunately, some difficult people just don’t care. During the discussion, attempt to reach agreement about positive and supportive actions going forward.
Now that time has passed since this conversation, has the behavior changed? Gotten better? Or worse? Determine whether a follow-up discussion is needed. Determine whether a follow-up discussion will have any impact. Decide if you want to continue to confront the difficult person by yourself.
Never confront their behavior publicly. Even gentle humor or sarcasm will spark into something bigger if this person is indeed trying to give you a hard time.
Direct confrontation does work well for some people in some situations. We don’t think it works to ask the person to stop doing what they’re doing, publicly, but you can employ more positive confrontational tactics.
If you have done what you can do and employed the recommended approach stated above with little or no success, it’s time to involve others – your boss or a manager. Note that you are escalating the situation, so prepare to talk with management in a collected manner. Be prepared to discuss how you tried to handle the matter professionally and are out of options.
Become a peacemaker. 90% of the time, being the bigger person is the best way to go. If the situation is getting worse rather than getting better, then you should escalate it with someone superior and move on with the next idea.
Take notes and address the issues, not as interpersonal problems, but as issues affecting your productivity, the work and your progress. Tell your boss exactly what the difficult person does.