It’s normal for people to have different communication styles, but working with someone who lacks warmth or tends to be blunt can spark feelings of anxiety. Instead of spending time and energy worrying about what a colleague’s abrupt communication says about you, try out a few strategies that might improve your collaboration. First, understand what makes you uneasy and remember not to take it personally. Then try to gauge whether or not they’re willing and able to adjust how they communicate with you. Keep in mind that you have to be willing to compromise, too, and that you should resist the urge to gossip. These techniques can prevent you from distancing yourself from a colleague who has other important strengths.