The 3 Most Difficult Types of Coworkers and How to Deal With Them

Question 1

Push someone’s buttons

Answer 1

idiom
To deliberately annoy someone to get a reaction
* During negotiations, he knew just how to push their buttons to get them to agree to the terms.
* His feedback style tends to push people’s buttons.

Question 2

Detrimental effect

Answer 2

adjective - noun
A negative or harmful impact on something
* High employee turnover is having a detrimental effect on team productivity and morale.
* The delayed product launch had a detrimental effect on our quarterly revenue targets.

Question 3

Archetype

Answer 3

noun
A character type or personality that embodies specific traits and roles
* The hero is an archetype in many movies.
* Our brand fits the caregiver archetype, focusing on compassion and support.

Question 4

Pessimist

Answer 4

noun
A person who expects negative outcomes and tends to focus on the downsides of situations
* As a pessimist, she often pointed out potential risks during the project planning meetings.
* To balance the discussion, we need to hear from both optimists and pessimists during our strategy session.

Question 5

Passive-aggressive

Answer 5

adjective
A behavior pattern where a person expresses negative feelings indirectly rather than openly
* His passive-aggressive comments during meetings made it difficult for the team to have open discussions.
* She often uses passive-aggressive comments instead of speaking her mind.

Question 6

Know-it-all

Answer 6

noun
A person who is overly confident in their knowledge and often acts as if they know everything
* Her know-it-all attitude during team discussions often frustrates her colleagues.
* While it’s great to be knowledgeable, nobody likes a know-it-all in the workplace.

Question 7

Conflict-averse

Answer 7

adjective
Avoiding conflict or confrontation
* Her conflict-averse nature makes it difficult for her to address team issues directly.
* While it’s good to seek harmony, a conflict-averse approach can lead to unresolved problems.

Question 8

Articulate one’s thoughts / feelings

Answer 8

verbal phrase
To express one’s thoughts / feelings clearly and effectively
* During the meeting, she was able to articulate her thoughts clearly, which helped clarify the project’s direction.
* He struggled to articulate his thoughts during the presentation, making it difficult for the audience to follow.

Question 9

Micromanage

Answer 9

verb
To excessively oversee and control someone’s work, often limiting their autonomy
* If you continue to micromanage your employees, they may feel discouraged and untrusted.
* She prefers to empower her staff rather than micromanage their work.

Question 10

A lack of security

Answer 10

phrase
Feelings of uncertainty or vulnerability regarding one’s safety, stability, or well-being
* The employees expressed concerns about a lack of security in their jobs due to recent layoffs.
* A lack of security in the workplace can lead to decreased morale and productivity among the team.

Question 11

Torment

Answer 11

verb
To inflict severe suffering or distress on someone, either mentally or physically
* A toxic work environment can torment employees, leading to high turnover rates.
* He felt tormented by the unrealistic deadlines set by management.

Question 12

Undermine (someone)

Answer 12

verb
To weaken or damage someone’s authority, confidence, or effectiveness in an indirect way
* Her constant criticism seemed to undermine his confidence in leading the project.
* The manager’s lack of support may undermine the team’s efforts to meet deadlines.

Question 13

Cut out for a job

Answer 13

idiom
To be well-suited or naturally qualified for a role
* With her strong leadership skills, she is definitely cut out for a job in management.
* His creativity and attention to detail show that he’s cut out for a job in marketing.

Question 14

Do some reflection

Answer 14

verbal phrase
To think deeply about one’s thoughts, feelings, or experiences for personal growth or insight
* After the meeting, we should do some reflection on our decisions.
* She decided to do some reflection to figure out her career goals.

Question 15

Lay the groundwork
(for something)

Answer 15

idiom
To prepare the necessary foundation for future actions or developments
* The marketing team worked hard to lay the groundwork for the new product launch.
* Before starting the project, we need to lay the groundwork by conducting thorough research.