How to Deal With Difficult People

You will agree with me that people are different. This difference in personalities makes some people compatible while some others aren't. You will also agree with me that no matter where we find ourselves -at work, in school, at home and in public places- we will always come across people who are difficult to relate with. Some of these people are proud while some others just lack good communication skills. You will also agree with me that it is important for you to know how to get along with people so that life can be much easier for you. The more able you are to adapt to people's personalities, the better your chances are at living a freer life. Here's how you can deal with such difficult people:

1. First and foremost, you must understand that it isn't always about you, it's about them. Difficult people don't just do the things they do and become the way they are because of you, it's mainly because of past experiences and the kind of lives they've lived. So understand that it isn't about you.
2. Understand that anger feeds anger, confrontation feeds confrontation but also, peace feeds peace. Be a person of peace. If you notice someone being difficult or negative towards you, CONSCIOUSLY make efforts to be at peace with that person. I know that not everybody is supposed to like you but you know it won't hurt to have one more ally and one less opposition in the world.
3. Don't be reactive, be proactive. This means that you should not let the situation and the person's behavior the person determine your own behavior toward them. Instead of letting circumstances control you, you should instigate action to control the circumstances. Look for things the person likes or try to create common grounds to build a relationship. If there isn't a way, then look for similar interests. Refuse to get angry with the person. Refuse to let the person annoy you. Instead, you choose to never get offended. Be proactive.
4. Separate the person from the issue. Sometimes it is not the person that has a problem, it is the situation in which he or she has found himself or herself that has made them like that. Don't be blinded by the issue at hand. The issue may be so tough, daunting and demanding and the person is under so much pressure that he or she thinks that being difficult is the solution to it. Don't blame them.
5. You can try to be funny. If someone comes at you in a confrontational manner, you can try to lighten the situation and play it down through humor. This works well most times but you should learn how to pick the right moment to be funny, if not, you can get punched in the face and that won't be my fault.
6. Put yourself in the driving seat of the situation. This is almost the same thing as being proactive. Make it your responsibility to determine the direction in which the issue at hand will travel. Whether or not it will end well is entirely up to you.
7. Lastly, and the most important thing, know when to walk away. Some people are just too difficult for you to crack. If you come across such a fellow, do yourself a whole lot of good and just walk away. Don't try to be the savior or hero, you can get hurt. Turn around and walk away from the person. It doesn't make you a coward, in fact, it makes you very wise.