Working with Difficult Personalities
Eight to ten hours a day is a long time to spend with anyone day after day. As a dental assistant, the workday can feel even longer if you have one or more co-workers with personality traits that are outside of the norm and are potentially harmful. They can wreak havoc in a practice office with their toxic behavior if left unchecked. Here are some tips on how to cope with these extreme behaviors.
The Fault Finder: This person is constantly critical and points a finger at others to shift responsibility away from herself. When dealing with this person, get things in writing and verify facts. Have confidence in yourself and let them know that their negativity is creating an unpleasant place to work.
The Control Freak: Another who is constantly critical, this person feels the need to control the outcome of seemingly everything. Letting go of tasks that aren’t important to you is an easy fix, but may have an adverse effect on your performance. Let things roll off you—simply having them show you how they want something done may satisfy their need for perfection.
The Slacker: Not pulling her own weight makes this apathetic and indifferent person quite frustrating to come across. Be assertive, but not aggressive, in ensuring they know what needs to be done. And keep notes on major discretions so that the office manager or dentist can address non-compliance.
The Gossiper: This person breaks the trust of the team and distracts from what needs to be done with her drama. Directly telling this person the impact of how her behavior makes you feel can alert her to her own misbehavior, but it is best to just avoid sharing details of your personal life with this individual.
The Passive-Aggressive: Sabotaging the work or performance of others is this person’s passion. It’s best to challenge issues with them out in the open, using diplomacy during conversations.
The Narcissist: Entitlement and arrogance can easily destroy comradery in the office. Flattery and positivity can help get a job done temporarily, but be realistic about how they will respond to conversation and situations. Always offer positive feedback before negative.
Whatever their difficult personality may be, always collect evidence before you challenge behaviors. Be consistently positive and fair while maintaining your own self-worth. Avoid aggressive arguments by staying in control; and if necessary, walk away. Document any decided actions from a meeting and share them with all involved to ensure agreement. Ultimately, the goal is a happy team that can work well together for the benefit of the patients, so be prepared to present your case to the office manager or dentist if you absolutely cannot work things out one on one.