[ebiester]

It depends on the person and the team.

There is more than one way to be difficult to work with. For example, some can have anger problems. In these cases, mindfulness coaching can be useful. Why are they angry? Are they angry at perceived incompetence? Are they angry when they don't get their own way? Are they angry because of the argument with their parents the night before?

Another is contempt. If someone treats their teammates with contempt, it is often a sign of someone having a "fixed" mindset. They believe that some people are good at programming, and some people are just bad, and it can't be adjusted. These people are often also terrible teachers, which means they need to be taught that skill.

Some are inconsiderate. They have terrible hygene and controllable body odor. They listen to their own music on speakers in an open office. This often takes coaching on behaviors from management.

[pitay]

I have to highlight the contempt part of ebiester's post. Working with people who have contempt for the people around them is seriously deleterious to your productivity and mental health.

If you are working for a boss who has contempt for his underlings, I would suggest leaving, if you want to be productive in the future. Working under that sort of manager is absolutely hazardous.

A way you can spot someone who has contempt is to notice if they put down people, even if in a backhanded kind of way, or assuming the worst about someone. I have found that showing contempt for people in a 'lower socioeconomic status' is a strong sign of them showing contempt for everyone else they can put down to elevate themselves.

If they are your manager then they are likely to go up the organisational hierarchy soon, because they are really good at self promotion if they are already your manager.

This has come from my experience in the workforce.