5 Ways to Deal with Strong Personalities (2024)

Almost every team has at least one dominant personality who is motivated by winning, reaching results, and has less empathy for others. These types of workers have incredibleupside, andare often seen as confident and goal-oriented people who work quickly to get results. However, that direct or obstinate behavior can also be tough to work with on some occasions, especially if your personality is at the opposite end of the spectrum.

However, in order to besuccessful, coworkersfrom all personality types need to be able to find common ground and work together. Here are some tips fromBusiness Insideron how to work with dominant personality types in the office:

  • Focus on the “what” and not the “how.”More dominant personality types are task-driven people – they want outcomes and don’t really care about how to get there. When speaking with them, focus on tangible facts and come to them with suggestions versus an open brainstorming.
  • Cut the chit-chat.Stronger personalities operate on speed and efficiency. For them, there is a time and a place for smalltalkbut it isn’t in an email or meeting. Skip the pleasantries and dive right in.
  • Give them ownership.To influence a dominant personality, give them room to work independently on aspects of a project, rather than collaborate on all the pieces. They want to be able to make decisions on their own.
  • Fill the gaps.Healthy teams need a mix of personalities, so use your own strengths to interject thoughtfulness and stability. A dominant personality is likely to actquickly, andmay overlook risks along the way.
  • Don’t take it personally.These personality typescan be brusque in their responses. They may even ask pointed questions that may put you on the defensive. This isn’t a reflection of you, but rather a preferred style of communication.

There can be a lot to learn from dominant personalities…especially if you tend to overthink things or aren’t as confident in your decision-making. Integrate the positives into your own style, along with learning to work with other styles, and you’ll have a more successful team.

5 Ways to Deal with Strong Personalities (2024)

FAQs

5 Ways to Deal with Strong Personalities? ›

Don't accuse, threaten, insult, or argue—this will only make the situation worse. Find out what each of you wants to achieve and talk about how you can best work together (or separately) to reach your goals. received by the other person as an expression of your feelings rather than a personal attack on them.

How to deal with dominating personalities? ›

  1. Be Straightforward. Your boss is a straight-shooter and takes pride in the ability to call a spade a spade. ...
  2. Stay Busy. Try to display a sense of urgency while on the job. ...
  3. Make "Quick" Decisions. ...
  4. Talk About Results. ...
  5. Understand Impatience. ...
  6. Don't Take It Personally. ...
  7. Require Respect.

How do you deal with personality traits? ›

Don't accuse, threaten, insult, or argue—this will only make the situation worse. Find out what each of you wants to achieve and talk about how you can best work together (or separately) to reach your goals. received by the other person as an expression of your feelings rather than a personal attack on them.

How to deal with strong willed people? ›

5 Ways to Deal with Strong Personalities
  1. Focus on the “what” and not the “how.” More dominant personality types are task-driven people – they want outcomes and don't really care about how to get there. ...
  2. Cut the chit-chat. ...
  3. Give them ownership. ...
  4. Fill the gaps. ...
  5. Don't take it personally.
Nov 8, 2021

How do you maintain a strong personality? ›

Developing powerful personality traits
  1. Respect. Treat others with respect. ...
  2. Self-discipline. Powerful people have self-discipline. ...
  3. Self-control. People with powerful personalities are humble and exercise self-control when they face controversy or conflict. ...
  4. Ability to ask intelligent questions. ...
  5. Authenticity. ...
  6. Teamwork.
Mar 24, 2023

How do you deal with overpowering personality? ›

How to Manage a Dominant Personality
  1. Approach dominant people on their level. Always keep your conversations targeted and brief to keep their attention. ...
  2. Discuss the impact of their behavior. ...
  3. Treat them with respect. ...
  4. Encourage teamwork. ...
  5. Conduct personality testing.

What do you call a person with a strong personality? ›

decisive iron-willed mullish obstinate resolute strong-minded stubborn unbending uncompromising unyielding.

How to tell if someone has a strong will? ›

7 Characteristics of Strong-Willed Individuals
  1. They're Determined. ...
  2. They're Resilient. ...
  3. They Relentlessly Pursue Goals and Ambitions. ...
  4. They're Leaders Who Take Initiative. ...
  5. They're Independent and Self-Reliant. ...
  6. They Stand Up For Their Beliefs and Values. ...
  7. They Can Navigate Difficult Situations.
Oct 18, 2023

How to handle a woman with a strong personality? ›

Approaches to Handle a Woman with a Strong Personality

Active listening, respect for boundaries, and appreciation of strengths are foundational elements.

When someone has a strong personality? ›

People with strong personalities know how to assert themselves without resorting to aggression. They can express their feelings and needs effectively and respectfully, without stepping on anyone's toes. This is a critical distinction that psychology makes between assertiveness and aggressiveness.

What is the most powerful personality type? ›

#1 – ENTJ. According to the MBTI® Manual, ENTJs ranked highly on the Dominance scale of the CPI™ tool. The term “Dominance” in this context refers to assertiveness, confidence, and task-orientation.

What is a weak character trait? ›

A weak personality can mean a lack of personal courage or a lack of willpower. It can refer to someone who doesn't actively choose his place in the world, but instead prefers to lean against the comfortable security of other peoples choices.

What causes dominant behavior? ›

In summary, research has established that basal testosterone strongly influences dominance behaviors in humans. Further, both humans' and nonhuman animals' behavior will only be influenced by testosterone in social environments in which it is possible for an individual to increase his/her status.

What causes a domineering personality? ›

Causes of Controlling Behavior

The most common are anxiety disorders and personality disorders. People with anxiety disorders feel a need to control everything around them in order to feel at peace. They may not trust anyone else to handle things the way they will.

What is a dominating personality? ›

A dominant personality is a personality type that often leads themselves and others into action. It's primarily defined by an overarching motivation for power and a sense of pride. This doesn't mean dominant personalities are always eager to obtain power or behave like tyrants.

How to deal with people who dominate conversations? ›

4 Ways to Shut Down a Conversation Dominator
  1. Let the Conversation DOMINATOR know you (or others) need some of the spotlight. ...
  2. Stand up for yourself when a Conversation Dominator interrupts you. ...
  3. Become a Conversation Dominator yourself. ...
  4. Disengage from the conversation.

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