How do you guys deal with annoying assholes at work

I’ve cliff at my desk. Cliff is my pet support rock. I throw it at people who annoys me, which makes me happy! Beware of Cliff. Okay Bye!

I have a bugger in the office of a similar character but is also an important stakeholder.

Following steps i did to make sure that he he not staying rent free in my mind post office hours

1. Stopped verbal discussion and went full digital with him. Only via emails

2. Stopped attending Teams calls in which he is part of.

3. Reached out to other stakeholders and informed my rationale of not attending unplanned Teams meeting in which he is part of. Also demanded other stakeholders to mention agenda clearly for the virtual connects so that this bugger does not hijack the meeting with his agenda

4. Gathering info related to his inefficiencies ( took some time) and prepared a brief note to management showcasing how he hides is inefficiencies and mistakes by blame /diverting it to others).

5. I was seated beside him. Now I switched seats to avoid accidentally punching him.

Interact less physically and more digitally.

Sometimes use their sword 🗡️ to wound him/her if required digitally ⚔️

Avoid physical interaction if u don't want therapist meet-up

Ayo, that’s my boss 😂

@mujheGharJaanaHai Most of these folks are emotionally immature and they feel insecure deep inside and that's why they behave like this.

The best way to handle them is to become assertive. It's like tresspassing. You should not allow these folks to cross the boundary, and if they do, immediately tell them that they are crossing their boundaries and never be on the back foot, for example– never say- "Ohh, please don't say like that" and instead you should say "I didn't like the way you spoke to me just now." It will land you in a stronger position.

Also, don't just get into any arguments with these folks, it's useless, instead, you can let them know when you are ready to have a conversation. You can say, "I am going to respond to you about this later today"

These are some tactics to handle tough nuts.

Keep it cold. Try to be as stoic in front of them as possible. Show non verbally you don't give a damn on what he thinks or says. Keep everything on record. If they try to demean you, talk with facts and data. Try to raise the abusive behavior with their higher up with few concrete examples.

I kind of echo your thoughts. I try to avoid conversations with such people. When such people become important stakeholders, I usually try to get the work done through somebody else or through that person’s n+1

Reaction would differ

1. Your peer. At same level like you. Don't give a damn about them. Maintain distance. At max he would try to sabotage Your relationship with your manager. Indicate manager that you don't like this guy or bitch about him/her a lil so that even if he/she bitch or whatever it is taken as personal issues between you two
2. Someone higher in the ladder. Your manager and all. Handle somewhat as you can but always keep your options handy. Change team or company whenever required.
3. A lead or peer with more power/connection. This is difficult situation. You don't know what he/she is upto and What will happen in case you show some resistance. If not too powerful than you can Stand against them. Else try to move to a different place than them.

To some your personality is difficult. Goes both ways. Therefore ignorance is bliss.

In my previous company, all 3 founding team employees (including me) left because of one incompetent jerk (co-founder). Surely, people have varying tolerance levels but not at the cost of self-respect, from my observations. But sadly, being a genuinely nice person is only deemed as a bonus, above one's competence. In how to maneuver it, always always keep a paper trail of your communication with such people, be it email chains, Slack threads, etc.