dealing with difficult people at work and the timeout strategy

Working with Difficult People Using the Time Out Less Stress Strategy

From the Dealing with People Packages by Dr Judy Esmond

Dealing with Difficult People? http://www.nodifficultpeople.com

http://www.nodifficultpeople.com/



Working with difficult people can cause you enormous

stress and strain.

So what do you about these people?



Here is a very interesting question sent in by one of our

members.

Maria asks for more advice on difficult people in the workplace.


So here is the question from Maria….


In other material you have written about a variety of ways to remain

calm and composed when handling difficult people.


You talked about walking away from a difficult person who is talking to you but you are becoming increasingly

frustrated by them.


But in dealing with difficult people at work there is a

person that every time I talk to this person…


I feel so angry as they always interrupt me.

I absolutely want to walk away as they make me so mad.


But if I walk each time I try to speak with them then I'd

probably never come back and speak to them.


Can you suggest more ways for me on how to deal with difficult

people like this person?

What do I do about this distressing situation?


This is a great question Maria.

So here is another idea for you in dealing with difficult people at

work such as this work colleague.


You do need to be determined to remain as cool and calm as

you can.


You do need to walk away and give yourself some space when you are losing your

composure.


Remember, walking away and going for a quick walk or even just into the next room, is for

your benefit to calm down and think clearly.


If you do not take some time out, you will find it very hard to remain calm and effectively deal with this

person again.


However, instead of just turning around and walking away from this person when you feel your

stress levels rising.


Try this stress management and assertive communication strategy

with the ‘time out’ technique.


Before you walk away for awhile you need to actually tell

this person why you are walking away.


Be sure to sound calm and use assertive communication.


Very clearly and calmly explain to them why you are walking away.

For example, you can say…


"Ann, I feel extremely angry when you speak to me in this way. I

am going to walk away from you now and when I return…


I would prefer that when I speak, you do not interrupt me and wait

until I have finished speaking before speaking yourself".


When you explain why you are walking away then it becomes very clear to this person how

their behavior is upsetting you.


You have explained this to them in a calm manner and have

walked away to give you some space to settle down your

emotions again.


But do not expect this person to immediately change their

behavior.


This behavior is a communication pattern they have had for a long

time.


In dealing with difficult people like this person, you do have to be

consistent and persistent.


Be prepared to explain why and walk away often.


In fact, be prepared to do this as often as needed until this person

changes their communication pattern with you.


So Maria, each time this person interrupts you when you are

speaking to them, tell them again why you are feeling frustrated.


Tell them again why you are walking away.

Tell them again the behavior you would like to see from them

when you return.


Keep on telling them and being prepared to walk away until this person stops interrupting you

whenever they speak with you.


They will ultimately get the message and have to alter their

behavior in some way.


They will get the message, that if they want to communicate with

you they will have to stop interrupting you.


Otherwise you will simply walk away and come back later to try

to communicate again.


Give this dealing with people strategy a try and a chance to

work.

Be firm, be fair but be persistent.


You will reduce your stress, remain calmer and become more assertive in dealing with difficult

people at work.


So what are your thoughts on Dealing with People?

We have lots more great ideas to share with you.


I invite you to get a FREE copy of our Guide….


Dealing with Difficult People: 17 Ideas on How to Deal with

Difficult People from our website http://www.nodifficultpeople.com


Dr Judy Esmond is a leading international expert in the field of employee retention, stress and

dealing with people.


http://www.nodifficultpeople.com

dealing with difficult people at work and the timeout strategy

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