Working in any business environment, you must interact with many people, both co-workers and clients, on a daily basis. Sometimes personalities clash, and when they do it becomes difficult to remain professional and continue to work effectively. When it comes to personality types, there are four that tend to present particular challenges to all working professionals. These are: insecure individuals, overly negative individuals, selfish or self-centered individuals, and unreliable or incompetent individuals. Dealing with these personality types presents an ongoing challenge, but one that must be mastered in order to be truly successful.

Since all four personality types are different, one is forced to deal with each of them in a different manner. By not catering to any one of them, and by not playing them against each other—and especially by not being one of them yourself, you can avoid entering into office politics, which encourages hypocrisy, secrecy, deal making, rumors, power brokers, self-interests, image-building, self-promotion, and cliques. In order to avoid doing this, you have to understand and learn to interact with each personality type individually.

Insecure people most always have self-esteem problems. They often have bad tempers and make reproachful comments to others around them. In general, this is merely an attempt for them to feel better about themselves and their position in life). There may be individuals of this nature who work with you, and you have learned to deal with them by maintaining your own enthusiasm and by refusing to take their comments personally. Whenever someone is being overly insecure or taking their insecurities out on others, try to focus your attention elsewhere.

Negative individuals are characterized by a demanding and aggressive demeanor. They generally try to have things their way all of the time. Such individuals can make the workplace environment extremely uncomfortable for their co-workers. You may also have these kinds of colleagues. Whenever you interact with them, try to simply ignore their negativity and avoid making any comments that may provoke them to be confrontational. It is better to take the steam out of problem situations by just giving the negative person some space and allowing them to calm down on their own. That being said, do not allow negative people to just walk all over you. Maintain your assertiveness, but also try to envision a bubble of positive energy that surrounds you and is impenetrable by them.

Selfish people are so obsessed with their own interests and desires that their behavior becomes detrimental to those around them. In any company, you will surely be confronted with these types from time to time, and must deal with them by remaining assertive and confident and not allowing them to inadvertently affect you.

Unreliable or incompetent individuals add immeasurable stress to those around them. In fact, dealing with these types of individuals may be one of the most stressful things working professionals have to encounter. Whether it’s an incompetent boss who tries to undermine you to avoid exposing his own inadequacies, or an unreliable co-worker that you always have to pick up the slack for, dealing with these types can be one of the most difficult tasks there is. Sometimes unreliable individuals have a tendency to want to please others to the point that it interferes with their ability to complete their own obligations. Whenever you interact with this type of co-worker, try to emphasize the importance of doing one thing at a time and finishing what you start.

These four personality-types tend to be prevalent in any professional environment. It is best to deal with each individual and situation directly and honestly and not try to undermine or accommodate for any personality that presents a problem to your own efficiency. Assertiveness seems to be the key, as is remaining aware of which type of individual it is that you are dealing with.

Justin Elza is the owner of J. Allan Writing and Design Studios, a full-service creative firm that helps clients save time and money while developing consistency in all their written, visual, and web-based marketing communications. From business cards to billboards, memos to manuscripts, J. Allan Studios is your creative, professional partner!