How to deal with... "those" personalities

Make "their" goals match "your" goals.

And stay out of the Political Thread.

In the workplace I just try to focus on problem solving.

Some issues can't be resolved so I don't waste energy there. With hard to deal with coworkers, I just keep really calm and wait for the "moment".

Someone who is obnoxious and tries to be right all the time usually comes to their own undoing. 

Originally posted by So Fresh So Clean People who are very assertive, stand fast to their beliefs even against the best evidence, judgmental and pushy. Before you ask, no, there is not a specific incidence I am thinking of. I have just ran into quite a few of these lately. I am wondering, how do you connect with these types to achieve a common goal, when they are clearly interested only in their own goals? Obviously you need more information to answer this concretely, but general ideas are good too Thanks CoJ!

but not everyone who is very assertive, stand fast to their beliefs even against the best evidence....

is also: judgmental and pushy

Most of my  friends have very strong outspoken opinions- some of which i disagree with, but I like that they are strong and opinionated.

If they were judgmental and pushy I would probably avoid them, even if I agreed with them.

Originally posted by So Fresh So Clean People who are very assertive, stand fast to their beliefs even against the best evidence, judgmental and pushy. Before you ask, no, there is not a specific incidence I am thinking of. I have just ran into quite a few of these lately. I am wondering, how do you connect with these types to achieve a common goal, when they are clearly interested only in their own goals? Obviously you need more information to answer this concretely, but general ideas are good too Thanks CoJ!

Depends on the relationship.

If you have to work with them and they are on your team?   You have to work with them on it.

If it's just some random person?  If it's a lost cause, I just walk away.  No point going through the brain damage.

Spouse?  Agree to disagree, or keep working on it.

Family?  Maybe work it out OR just walk away.

I basically figure out the topics that are no bueno with individuals because no good will come of it.  I just won't talk politics with some people, religion with others, etc...

The real problem is when you deal with the kind that feel the louder they talk and more they bully and act condescendingly, the more "right" they think they are and never back down.  Or even CONSIDER the perspective of someone else.  It's not a sign of weakness to be wrong on occasion or admit to misspeaking.

Okay, adding to the original question, what if you work with this person (i.e. same level of seniority, etc...), and while their bad attitude and poor work practices are well known by management, even when told what to do, they still continue to do their own thing and when there is an issue, you get punished because things are not "being done correctly" overall...How do you deal with that person, your supervisor, and your job itself? 

Thanks coj.

Thank you--I will put those ideas into action. Truthfully, I am in the market for another job, but sadly, my field is rather limited by wage and by location. I am a zookeeper specializing in reptiles; and collection preferences as well as conservation practices are part of the requirements I look at, and my husband and I are also picky about where we will live. Anyway, I have been noting issues, but I will continue to closely and also be a bit more assertive in dealing with it. 

It is stressful--more so as I truly care for the animals I work with, and I don't want them to be left in neglect due to a coworker's bitterness. Not fun. But again, thank you for your insight, I will definitely put it to use.

Originally posted by DanielG

Originally posted by 1stTimeTri As Depeche Mode sang: People are people ...

Well that's a better answer than the Depeche Mode song I thought of when reading your reply

Master and Servant?