difficult people create 50% of everyday problems. the negative behavior is primarily done to wear...
TRANSCRIPT
Difficult people create 50% of everyday problems. The negative behavior is primarily done to wear you down.
When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. Thich Naht Hanh
“YES VIRGINIA, THERE ARE 10 TYPES OF
DIFFICULT PEOPLE !”• Tanks• Snipers• Know-It-Alls• Think-They-Know-It-Alls• Grenade Person• Yes Person• Maybe Person• Nothing Person• No Person• Whiners
Sherman Tanks
• Aggressive, in your face behavior verbal and physical behavior…goal is control at all costs…I win/you lose!
• Tanks will never back down!
Deal with them by:• Standing your ground, but not getting into a fight
with them…it will only escalate the fight• Maintaining eye contact…• Smiling/maintaining self control• Calling security if a show of force or restraint is
needed.
The Sniper
• Uses sarcasm tinged with humor that is meant to embarrass and humiliate you when you are the most vulnerable… goal is control…I win/you lose!
Deal with them by:• Confronting them when it is happening; ask them
to repeat comments so they can be heard by all• Let them know you sense underlying unpleasant
meanings in what they say.
The Know- It- Alls
Dominates conversation with lengthy, haughty arguments, and eliminates opposition by finding flaws and weaknesses to discredit other points of view. Is very knowledgeable and competent.
Deal with them by:. Picking your battles…sometimes it is best to
ignore them or thank them for the information.. Never ever asking for their opinion. Recognize that their knowledge is a valuable
asset
The Think They Know It AllsDo not know what they are talking about, but they have
a knack for conversation and act like a professional.
Deal with them by:State the correct facts or give alternative opinions in as
much detail as you can. Move on to the next topic as soon as you correct a
balloon.This gives the balloon enough time to deflate with as
little embarrassment as possible.
The GrenadeThey yell like Sherman Tanks, but more explosive These people seem reasonable, friendly and collected. Then for no
reason they attack. Often they attack because of a comment that made them feel
threatened or doubted.
Deal with them by:Don’t do anything at all. Just look them straight in the eye. Eventually all exploders reach a stopping point. Then try to get
privacy with them, Get facts about what happened, and Always offer help in the form of a realistic action plan to help get
them back on trackTry to calm them down.
The Yes Person
In an effort to please people and avoid confrontation, Yes People say “yes” and never follow through
Deal with them by:Getting them to do what they say they will do
so you can count on them.
The Maybe PersonThey lose themselves on analyzing things to death and never get back on track;Have great difficulty saying anything that might be hurtful or
distressing to anyone so…they do nothing at all !Fraught with indecisiveness !
Deal with them by: Making sure they have a dead line and know the reason for
the dead line. Being helpful and providing background info to help them
make a decision to commit to work asked of them.
The Nothing Person…better known as
the ClamSilent, unresponsive;Achieving power by withholding communication from you;Doesn’t want to be blamed for a wrong answer;Listens attentively but contributes little.
Deal with them by:Smiling expectantly at them;Let them know that their contribution is welcome and
appreciated;Ask open ended questions that require more than a “yes” or
“no” response.
The Negativist … better known as theNo Person
Pessimistic;Tear down morale;Play to our despair;Feel like they have no control over anything;Feel that those with power can’t be trusted…suspicious and paranoid
Deal with them by:Responding to pessimism with an optimistic statement that is realistic;Ask what’s the worst that could happen?Don’t argue with them !Don’t try to convince them that they are wrong!Distance yourself from them or limit your time with them to maintain a
positive outlook;Be a reality check … a statement like “Wow…I just fell into gloom and doom
here” might at times be appropriate.
The Complainer…also known as the WhinerGeneralizes every complaint; Nothing, it seems, is ever right for them;They give little specific information about the complaint;They usually state a complaint and then walk away;They rarely have a solution — just several ways to complain.
Deal with them by:Ask them to do the opposite;Ask for specifics: who, what, when, where, why, and how;When they start to walk away, ask them to stay for a minute to
finish the discussion; Don't try to get them to solve the problem — they'll resist… a
solution will deprive them of an opportunity to complain; View the complainer as a resource. Sometimes what they
complain about really is a problem that needs to be resolved.
If you want plenty of experience in dealing with difficult people, then have kids.
Tips for Dealing with the Difficult• Try not to take things
personally• Ask questions rather
than make statements• Have supporting
evidence in writing• Ensure understanding
and communication• Use appropriate
phrases when needed
• Use “I” rather than “you”
• Separate the issue from the person
• Be assertive rather than aggressive
• Turn the tables• Express appreciation
when appropriate
A PARTING THOUGHT
Sometimes smiling and being nice is the best approach for dealing with difficult people. Muster up all the inner peace
you can and try to be kind. The good karma is worth it.
Unknown
• Bell, Arthur and Smith, Dayle M. Winning with Difficult People. 2nd edition. Barron’s Educational Services: 250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, New York, 11788. Copyright 2004
• Bramson, Robert M. Coping with Difficult People: The Proven Effective Plan That Has Helped Millions of People Deal with the Troublemakers in Their Lives at Home and at Work. Dell Publishing, a division of Random House, Inc: 1540 Broadway, New York, NY. 1006. Copyright 1988 (considered a classic reference).
• Brinkman, Dr. Rick and Kirschner. Dealing With Difficult People: 24 Lessons for Bringing Out the Best in Everyone (Mightly Manager Series). Mc-Graw-Hill Professional: Two Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121-2298. Copyright 2006.
• http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10things/10-tips-for-dealing-with-difficult-people/
2298• http://video.about.com/careerplanning/How-to-Get-Along-With-Difficult-People-at-
Work.htm (on line video)• http://psychcentral.com/lib/2012/dealing-with-difficult-people/• http://www.oprah.com/spirit/How-to-Deal-with-Difficult-People-Deepak-Chopra • •
Dealing with Challenging Persons: Suggested References