How to Dealing with

Difficult People

www.humanikaconsulting.com

Conflict

• Conflict is inevitable! It’s a normal part of our lives, both in the workplace and our personal lives.

• Conflict will develop when we deal with a multitude of sensitive and important issues, including our children, pride, self-concept, ego and sense of mission or purpose

What is Conflict?

• At work“Jessie doesn’t do ANY of his work, and then I get the

blame for it. I’m going to go give him a piece of my mind”

• At home“Why is it that when it’s your time to watch the kids,

you’re attention is completely glued to the game on TV? You’re completely irresponsible”

• At school“My professor is totally singling me out! This paper

deserves at LEAST a B, I’m going to have to talk to the school about how incompetent he is”

• Just while living life!“I CAN’T believe that couple is letting their child scream

through this entire movie. I’ll go over there after and tell them what bad parents they are”

Conflict comes…

Difficult People

How does it start?

• Lack of communication• Someone looking for power or

authority• Weak leadership• Change in leadership• Failing to be open

Even though conflict is everywhere, it can be lessened, diverted, and (hopefully) resolved!

So what do we do about it?

What is the key?

COMMUNICATION!

MUST deal with the situation at hand

Failing to confront the conflict can result in many disastrous outcomes

“First, make sure that in the conflict, you aren’t the source. It’s easy to think the problem lays elsewhere.”

If you find it hard to look at a problem objectively, it may be

a good idea to involve someone who is unbiased to

the situation.

Involve a Third Party

The Best Solution Is to Confront and Handle People

"The ability to stand up to and confront and handle whatever comes the way of the organization depends utterly on the ability of the individuals of the organization to stand up to, confront and handle what comes the individual's way." — L. Ron Hubbard

7 steps to prepare yourself for dealing with the

difficult people in your life

1. Make the decision to face up to the person directly and by yourself.

2. Write down the exact problem you need to handle and your goal

for the confrontation.

3. Write down a Plan or List of

Points You Need to Make to

Support Your Goal

4. Arrange the meeting where you will not be disturbed, preferably in a

space you control

5. Start the meeting

6. Be sure to cultivate other more positive relationships in your life to offset the negativity of dealing with

difficult people.

7. Try not to place blame on yourself or

the other person for the negative interactions. It

may just be a case of your two personalities

fitting poorly.

“The greatest conflicts are not between two

people but between one person and himself.”

Garth Brooks