We all have them. The people who push our buttons. Who set us off just by looking at us or saying one word or even just entering the room. The colleague who never seems to take on his share of the work. The team member who seems to have a reason why she can’t be in the office on the important after-hours push. The senior leader who doesn’t seem to get it, no matter what. Sometimes it feels like the world is full of button-pushers, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
But you can do something about the button-pushers around you. It’s possible to prevent your button from being pushed, to build a buffer zone, to protect yourself. Here are a few ideas how: