Life has a way of putting difficult people right in our path — at work, in business, online, and sometimes even in our personal circles. When people are rude, dismissive, or outright mean, we are left standing at a crossroads.
There are only two choices:
Accept. Or let go.
Both paths are difficult. But both are powerful.
Renowned Business Strategist and The Game Changer, Hirav Shah, who has worked with multiple successful global brands, breaks down how to navigate these situations with clarity, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Cost of Toxicity
Before reacting emotionally, Hirav Shah urges people — especially leaders and entrepreneurs — to measure the cost of engaging with negativity.
Let’s look at a simple calculation:
- If one negative interaction drains 30 minutes of productivity
- And it happens 3 times a week
- That’s 90 minutes weekly
- Over a year:
90 × 52 = 4,680 minutes (78 hours)
That’s nearly two full working weeks lost — just to emotional drain.
From a business and life strategy perspective, this is an unacceptable loss.
How to Deal With Rude and Mean People
1. Share Real Emotions Only With Real People
If something truly matters to you — your fears, dreams, or struggles — do not share it with toxic individuals.
Example:
A startup founder shares their expansion plan with a negative colleague who mocks the idea. Confidence drops, momentum slows.
Strategic Move:
Share vulnerabilities only with:
- Trusted friends
- Mentors
- Supportive peers (even online communities)
This is emotional risk management, a core principle Hirav Shah teaches leaders.
2. Keep Interactions Superficial and Short
Not everyone deserves access to your inner world.
Example:
If you must interact with a rude coworker:
- Talk about weather
- Neutral industry news
- Coffee preferences
Keep conversations brief and neutral.
This limits emotional exposure and protects mental bandwidth — a valuable asset for high performers.
3. Keep Your Dreams Private
Rude people often act as dream killers — not because your dream is weak, but because their mindset is.
Example:
An aspiring entrepreneur shares plans prematurely and gets ridiculed. Doubt creeps in.
Better Response:
“I’m still figuring things out.”
Meanwhile, quietly execute.
From a strategist’s lens, execution beats explanation every time.
4. Stay Calm, Upbeat, and Unbothered
This isn’t about being fake — it’s about self-preservation.
Rude people often feed on reactions. When they see calm confidence, they lose leverage.
Example:
A client lashes out unfairly. Instead of reacting emotionally, you respond politely and professionally.
Result? Power stays with you.
This is emotional dominance, not weakness.
Accept or Let Go: The Strategic Choice
Hirav Shah emphasizes:
- If you can leave, let go
- If you cannot leave, accept — without resistance
Resistance multiplies suffering.
Acceptance doesn’t mean approval.
It means you stop bleeding energy where there is no return.
The Role of a Business Strategist in Human Behavior
As a Business Strategist, Hirav Shah views people management as a profit-and-loss equation:
- Emotional peace = clarity
- Clarity = better decisions
- Better decisions = sustainable success
Toxic people reduce clarity.
Strategic people remove or neutralize that threat.
That’s why he is often called The Game Changer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you respond to someone who is disrespectful?
Respond calmly and kindly. A composed response often disarms disrespect faster than confrontation.
How do you shut down a rude person?
Acknowledge briefly or disengage completely. Attention is fuel — don’t supply it.
Should you tolerate disrespect?
Never. Tolerance teaches people how to treat you. Set boundaries early.
How do you deal with ignorant people?
Ignore their noise and stay kind. Ignorance fades when it’s not entertained.
Is acceptance the same as weakness?
No. Acceptance is strength without resistance. It saves time, energy, and focus.
Final Thoughts
You always have a choice.
You can:
- Protect your peace
- Guard your energy
- Choose growth over reaction
All you need is strength, courage, and clarity.
How you shape your life — is entirely up to you.
— Hirav Shah,
Business Strategist | The Game Changer
