Don’t enter a conversation angry—while your feelings are justified, this will only lead to more conflict. Instead, give yourself a few minutes to cool off before jumping back into things.
For instance, if your colleague calls you demeaning nicknames, say something like, “I don’t like that nickname. Please call me by my real name. ” You can also say something like, “I understand and respect that you’re well-educated, but I don’t appreciate you speaking to me like I’m not. ”
For instance, you can say, “I really appreciate your friendliness, but it feels like you’re talking down to me whenever we have a conversation. ” Additionally, say something like, “You probably didn’t mean to sound hurtful, but the way you spoke to me back there was really disrespectful. ” Really listen to what your colleague has to say, too—sometimes the two of you might be butting heads because you have different approaches to a project. [5] X Expert Source Devin JonesCareer Coach Expert Interview. 5 April 2020.
For example, you can ask questions like, “Why do you believe that?” or “What sources do you have to back that up?” Other questions like “Where did you hear that?” or “Why do you feel so strongly?” might also help put them off-guard.
If your colleague tends to criticize your work performance, spend time reflecting on what you bring to the table. Understand what your strengths are, and think about how you can articulate that. [8] X Expert Source Devin JonesCareer Coach Expert Interview. 5 April 2020.
For example, you can say something like, “Thanks for the suggestion,” or “Thanks for your input” so they stop bothering you. “I’ll keep that in mind” is another good stock phrase to have on hand.
Don’t report your co-worker if they’re just being annoying. Only report them if their arrogance is seriously toxic or harmful to the workplace.
For example, a friend could point out a possible trigger or reason for their arrogant behavior that you didn’t notice before. Sometimes, people are just rude without any real rhyme or reason, which could be the case in your situation.
For instance, a coworker may be acting arrogant because they have a tough home life, or because they were passed over for a promotion. If a colleague is bragging about an accomplishment, say something genuine like, “I’m happy to hear that. Congratulations on your success. ”
For instance, you can shower with comments like “Thank you for your help,” or offer them compliments. You can also say something like, “I really appreciate your help and insights on this project. ”
For instance, if you’re working with an arrogant colleague on a project, don’t be afraid to say if you don’t know how to do something.
For instance, if your colleague is bragging about a great workout he had at the gym, you can say something like, “With that kind of stamina, maybe you could babysit my kids for a night. ” If they’re being unnecessarily arrogant by sharing lots of information in a conversation, say something like, “You should join my team for trivia night. " Look for your coworkers’ strengths and think about how they can best contribute when you’re working on projects together. Remember, everyone on your team operates differently, and you have to be able to work with a lot of different personalities. [16] X Expert Source Devin JonesCareer Coach Expert Interview. 5 April 2020.
