[TameAntelope]

Almost every single one of these problems can be solved by talking to the groups involved.

How do you talk to people about actual issues in a way that'll get them to be honest/realistic with you? Create safety. Make sure it's clear that nothing they do/say will hurt them or you, or come back to do so later.

What I don't see here, what I don't see anywhere, is how to deal with a legitimate bad actor. I wish more of these kinds of things would talk about how destructive a person with intent to do damage can be, and how to effectively handle someone like that when you can't simply get rid of them.

[mbrodersen]

Agree. Most of the time you can simply have a quiet polite conversation with difficult people and they will realise that they need to change and sometimes even thank you for letting them know. But I have experienced cases where co-workers don’t give a f** about anybody but themselves, will hate the fact that you approached them, and will go out of their way to sabotage you and everybody else in the future.