How Chiropractors Can Deal With Negative People

A Chiropractor’s Guide to Protecting Your Energy & Leading with Purpose

Let’s be real for a minute.

Everybody thinks they know the answer to dealing with negative people:

“Just cut them out of your life.”
“Only keep positive people in your circle.”
“Protect your energy. Block out negativity.”

That all sounds great in personal-development fantasy land…

…but what about the real world?

What if the negative person is your spouse?
Your sibling?
Your CA?
Another doctor on your team?
A long-time patient who sits on your schedule every week?
Or that coworker you literally share a wall with?

You can’t always eliminate negativity.
And honestly?
Trying to remove every uncomfortable thing from your life is not strength, it’s avoidance.

We teach chiropractors to become stronger leaders, not fragile ones.
So here’s a fresh, practical, purpose-driven way to navigate negativity without losing your peace, your power, or your potential.

1. Use It: Turn Their Energy Into Your Personal Growth Training

Negative people are not obstacles.
They’re opportunities.

When someone walks into the room with that heavy, draining, soul-sucking energy, most people react like:

“Ugh… now I’m annoyed.”
“Why are they like this?”
“They’re ruining my day.”

But what if you flipped it?

What if you used that exact moment to train your character?

Instead of becoming a victim of their mood, ask:

“Am I really in command of my emotions?
Or am I giving that power away?”

Because if a single person’s attitude can control your peace,
then your peace was never really yours.

In Thrive, we teach chiropractors to train leadership daily.
And nothing trains leadership like dealing with someone who pushes your buttons.

Use it as a challenge:
Can I stay centered?
Can I stay present?
Can I stay in purpose even when someone else isn’t?

That’s real strength.
That’s real mastery.
That’s real leadership.

2. Empathize: You Don’t Know the Story Behind Their Mood

This one is hard…but necessary.

Before labeling someone “negative,” remember:

You’ve had bad days too.
You’ve been short, impatient, frustrated, or flat-out rude before.
And you weren’t a bad person, you were a hurting person.

So instead of judging negative people, try asking:

“I wonder what this person went through today.”

Maybe their child was sick.
Maybe they had a fight with their spouse.
Maybe they didn’t sleep.
Maybe they’re battling stress, insecurity, or a past they never talk about.

You don’t have to absorb their energy.
But you can acknowledge their humanity.

One of the highest forms of maturity is being able to walk past someone who is negative and still say internally:

“I hope you find peace.
I hope life gets better for you.”

That’s strength.
That’s compassion.
That’s leadership.

3. Shift It: Become the Energy You Want to Experience

This is one of my favorite real-life “leadership games.”

When you’re surrounded by negativity, don’t shut down.
Don’t match it.
Don’t point it out.

Shift it.

Introduce humor.
Introduce gratitude.
Introduce lightness.
Introduce perspective.
Introduce something that lifts the room without attacking anyone.

When you elevate the energy of a group, you’re not just being positive…

You’re practicing leadership.

The ability to shift the emotional state of a room is a superpower in practice, in your team, and in your life.

Try it.
Test it.
See what happens.

You’ll be shocked at how much influence you actually have.

4. Make the Request: Lead with Honesty, Not Blame

Sometimes, especially if the negativity is constant, you need to address it directly but with empathy, not accusation.

Here’s a script you can use:

“Hey, I’ve been having a tough time keeping my energy up, and I know we’re all dealing with a lot.
Can we be intentional about keeping things a little more positive around here?
I think it would really help all of us. Would you be willing to help me with that?”

You’re not blaming them.
You’re not shaming them.
You’re inviting them to step up with you.

Most people respond well when they feel respected not attacked.

This is how adults communicate.
This is how leaders grow.
This is how trust builds.

Here’s the Truth Chiropractors Need to Hear

There will always be negative people.

The question isn’t:

“How do I get rid of them?”

The real question is:

“How do I become the kind of person who stays powerful, purposeful, and centered even when negativity shows up?”

Because that’s what chiropractic leadership requires.
That’s what your team needs.
That’s what your patients feel.
That’s what your family deserves.
That’s what your mission depends on.

You don’t change the world by avoiding difficult people.
You change the world by becoming someone whose energy changes them.

That is the heart of personal development.
That is the heart of service.
That is the heart of chiropractic leadership.

That is the heart of Thrive.

If you’re a chiropractor ready to lead with purpose, build a thriving practice, and grow your mindset. Thrive Chiropractic Coaching can help.

We help chiropractors master:

✔ Proven systems
✔ World-class communication
✔ Purpose-driven leadership
✔ Team development
✔ Mindset & emotional mastery
✔ Confidence, clarity & consistency

Ready to thrive in life and business?

👋 Let’s talk. Book a strategy call with Thrive Chiropractic Coaching.

Because chiropractors don’t rise by accident, they rise on purpose.