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Thirty tips for dealing with difficult people

857710_87924442this page will be elaborated soon

Attitude

  • make the other person more important than you
  • communicate
  • don’t judge them
  • don’t turn it into a fight
  • see every attack as a cry for help

While an encounter is happening

  • recognise it’s their stuff
  • be assertive
  • think before you speak [sometimes less is more]
  • think about what’s going on for them [they may be fearful, anxious, sleep-derived…]
  • see they are like us
  • help them
  • respect them
  • be open
  • don’t blame
  • listen to them
  • be curious
  • maintain a good attitude
  • be aware of your body language and tone of voice
  • stay in Adult [in TA terms]
  • see the truth in what they say, however badly expressed
  • see that they’re doing the best the can in the circumstances
  • act on any complaints, issues they may have
  • consider whether it’s you that’s making them difficult
  • see that dealing with difficult people is part of your job, not an impediment to it
  • recognise it’s your stuff

Long term

  • build trust – act with integrity, consistency, openness
  • build rapport
  • recognise their qualities
  • recognise their potential
  • work on the relationship
  • do what you say you’re going to do
  • see it as an opportunity for your self development

by Jeremy Marchant . © 2014 Jeremy Marchant Limited . last updated 25 january 2015 . image:  Free images

Further reading

  • Spring lambsSpring lambs
  • Being a hypocriteBeing a hypocrite
  • Meeting the client’s needsMeeting the client’s needs
  • the emotional intelligence at work rationalethe emotional intelligence at work rationale
  • A feline take on existentialismA feline take on existentialism
  • A short piece about intentionA short piece about intention
  • Books worth readingBooks worth reading
  • Seven ways for better teamworkSeven ways for better teamwork
  • Speak upSpeak up
  • ‘Cargo cult’ networking‘Cargo cult’ networking