Dealing with Difficult People
We’ve all been there…that argumentative relative at the dinner table who shares their unwanted opinions about everything, thinking that only they are in the right…or that boss that is never pleased with your work.
Learning to deal with difficult people can be a challenging situation, especially if your job depends on it.
In the online world, we need to know what our customers are looking for so that we can help them solve a problem.
We often face situations where we must assess a problem and find a way to remedy it.
However, when your customer (or a person in your life) is making a problem worse by their behavior, how we react to that person can make or break a situation.
Some suggestions for dealing with difficult people include staying calm, lowering your tone of voice and listening to the other person…no matter how difficult that might be in the moment.
Trying to reduce the moment of anger is one of the first strategies you can use to diffuse a situation.
Find something in common to agree upon and use the word “I” instead of shifting blame on “you,” which is often commonly done.
Of course, this also requires some degree of emotional intelligence, which some people do not possess.
You would hope that when you show respect and compassion towards another person during a difficult situation, that it would be reciprocated so that a mutually beneficial solution could be found.
However, this is not always the case. Some people are just plain impossible to deal with. They almost seem to go looking for a fight.
They may be argumentative, rude, insulting and disrespectful. Dealing with those types of people may require you to cut ties completely, or learn how to repress your point of view.
Sometimes, even your best intentions are not going to satisfy some people. That is alright as well…even though it could be costly depending on what’s at stake.
In the end, dealing with difficult people requires you to weigh out your needs versus your wants in order to find a way to get past the problem.
Ultimately, you might need to decide how badly you want to smooth over a problem in order to get to your end goal. This is easier said than done.
How do you deal with difficult people in your life?
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Recent Comments
69
Oh God. I am in this exact situation right now. In my case, not only a difficult person but also a narcissistic and egotistic person. Can you imagine? Yeah. They will never understand your side because they just can't. Or better yet, they won't. It's sad and I hope to find a solution for this someday.
You are spot on with your assessment. There is no way to win with such people. I'm sorry to hear that. It's not uncommon. Shield yourself and be strong. Take care :-)
De escalating any fraught situation should be the first thing intelligent people do, unfortunately those people seem to be few and far between.
People are more tense than normal with Covid keeping so many of us indoors and suffering isolation anxiety.
And I couldn’t help but think about Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, A very sad situation and even sadder that it is on public display. I am not sure what that makes of the media or those who follow, I really can’t fathom it.
If we all just treated one another with kindness and respect and acted like adults…ahh well, one day I hope.
And the toxic people, I just cut ties with now. Life is too short..
Thanks, you got me fired up.lol.
Stephen
I couldn't agree with you more on all those things, Stephen. This has been on my mind for a while, so thanks for reading and dropping by with your thoughts. If only...
Good morning Susan,
Thank you for your blog post on an interesting subject, thankfully a subject that I don't have to deal with often!
If I am dealing with a customer and there is a problem or they are making a mountain out of a molehill, I go out of my way to be helpful and calm. I normally find that this totally changes the situation!
If it's a family member or close friend, that can be more difficult. To be fair, I don't have any close friends that are awkward or difficult. When I was at Bible school, the Principal always told us to run from negative people, a great solution that works!
However, if it is a family member then it can be more difficult to run away and more difficult to stay calm! However, I will try and stay calm and put my point across. With continuous difficult people even if they are family members, I would draw away from them as much as possible. No one wants to be around a drama queen, it's just hard work and life is too short on this earth for that!
Have a great day.
Roy
Good morning Roy,
Thanks for all your insights on the topic. I appreciate all your comments! Yes, life is too short to be constantly dealing with conflict. I agree with what you've said. These people are difficult to deal with, particularly when it is someone close that you can't distance from. Emotional resilience is paramount.
Have a super day!
Susan
Good morning Susan,
Thank you for your reply, it's appreciated.
Sadly, constant conflict can leave a nasty taste in the mouth, it's good to stay clear of those situations. The best thing we can do is to try and show kindness and calmness!
Have a great day.
Roy
Excellent post, Susan
Being diplomatic and remaining true to your self is always the best way going forward
If I'm unable to change the situation, then I always find a way to change the way in which I look at the situation
Most times that will involve being diplomatic and politely moving on.
Thank you, Simone! That's a great way of looking at it and I tend to be the same way. Thanks so much for commenting and dropping by :-)
See more comments
Unfortunately difficult people will always be around to make our lives, well... more difficult than they need to be Susan!
But what to do? If it persists then cutting all ties is my preferred solution! But what if they are a close family member (or very close to one that we are close to in my case)!!
I just find it best to TRY to stay peaceful, calm and positive in the hope that it rubs off on them! (Easier said than done at times, but I do my best)!
Have a fantastic day my friend! :-)
You're reading my mind, Nick! You got it...Cutting ties works at times, but when it's too close, it's not possible.Then, we must take the high road, try to be peaceful and not let it eat us up. Like you, I try my best!
Thanks so much for dropping by...have a great day, my friend!
Taking the high road is the only road we can travel along when dealing with such family members Susan!
Speaking of which I will have have to see said family member in the flesh again tomorrow!!
You're very welcome my friend and much appreciated! :-)
yes, travelling the high road in life is always best ...
keep above it all ... bests ... :))
Haha! When travelling always do it as high as possible Keisha!!!🤗
Speaking of high... I am going to take my first trip in a "cigar tube" tomorrow morning for at least 3 years... wish me well!!!
Have a great trip, Nick!
bon voyage !! ... :))
oh, and by the way -- where are you heading for -- Mars?!
three years ... lol ... thought it took four years to get there ... :))