5 Steps to Derail Difficult People - Your Surefire Way to a Peaceful Resolution

That one guy at work that always has to be right; your buddy's wife who can't eat anywhere they serve burgers, or the monster-in-law, I mean mother-in-law, with too many opinions for your own good, difficult people, we all know them. So the question is, is there a right and a wrong way to deal with them? The answer is yes, if you want to avoid unnecessary confrontations.

First, keep in mind that it is very unlikely you will ever change the other person, so dealing with their difficult personality won't be just a one time Incident, but an every time skill. Don't sit back saying nothing until you absolutely can't take it one more second. Your pent up frustration will only result in a catastrophic blowout. The best approach is to confront and handle the situation as it occurs.

Just Practice These 5 Steps

1. Decide what the exact problem is and face them alone and in person to discuss it.

- Keep your posture open and inviting, avoiding crossed arms or negative facial expressions.

2. Have a clear outcome in mind and strive continuously throughout the confrontation to reach it.

- May be as simple as getting the other person to listen to your viewpoint.

3. Organize your thoughts before you meet.

- Think of supporting arguments, specific instances, and any documents to build a solid case and avoid generalities.

4. Keep calm in your body language and tone of voice, but stand your ground.

- Remind yourself that this is a situation you are dealing with, so don't turn it into a personal attack.

5. Listen to what the other person is saying and show them that you are taking their feelings into consideration, and then get them to do the same.

- Show them you are listening by keeping eye contact and repeating back what they have said in your rebuttal. Kindness, calm and rationality are your tools for getting them to do the same.

Most importantly, keep communicating! The more you practice these five steps, the easier confronting difficult people and situations will become. Taking the cool, calm and kind approach to handling the situation will throw them off guard leaving the door open for you to take control. Just as you must plan for success in all other areas, you must also plan in order to successfully derail the difficult people in your life.

Frank F. Lunn is an expert in leadership, marketing, and small business entrepreneurship. In his book, Stack the Logs! - Building a Success Framework to Reach Your Dreams, Frank outlines a simple 5-step strategy that will lead you to success in all areas. Find more useful article by Frank at http://www.stackthelogs.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Permission To Have FUN

? Have you been working long hours? ? Have... Read More

Your Past and Present Hold Key to Your Future

Knowing more about who you are will give you the... Read More

Finding Peace: A Taste of Mindfulness

When we are ill and don't know it, we are... Read More

Change vs Transition

"There is a time for departure, even when there's no... Read More

Are You A Work Addict?

Work addiction is very common in our society today, yet... Read More

Dont Be Jealous - Be Inspired

When we see people do things we cannot do, or... Read More

Assertive Communication: 20 Helpful Tips

Most of us know that assertiveness will get you further... Read More

A Murder Mystery Puzzle for You to Solve

Anybody who has visited my website at Motivation & Self... Read More

3 Keys to Making Small Talk Easy to Do

Small talk used to be really hard work for me.... Read More

Growing On G.R.O.W ? A More Specific Coaching Model For Busy Managers

The effective coaching of employees by their line managers is... Read More

A Beginner To Beginners

You may be just starting, or contemplating, your first online... Read More

A Simple Strategy for Managing ADD

As an ADD Coach, I usually begin my conversations with... Read More

Ch-Ch-Chain of Hearts: Cranking Up Compassion

Can you hear your compassion? It's time to crank it... Read More

Floating In Mindfulness: Dealing With Disappointment

Feeling disappointed? It's time to float.The time-honored approach to disappointment... Read More

The American Dream ? Are We Really Free?

The promises of THE AMERICAN DREAM (to have it all... Read More

How to Make $100,000 as a Personal Trainer

In the movie, "The Gladiator," Emperor Commodus' rose to power... Read More

Transform Your Image And Accelerate Your Success

Being a lifelong student, I am regularly attending seminars etc.... Read More

Happiness and Work: Your Life Depends On It.

Early one morning, Robert awoke, made his wife of 41... Read More

Choosing an Apprentice

Along the path from where you are now to millions... Read More

Why a Self Help Book May Not Help You

For a self help book to work, we have to... Read More

Anger: To Control or To Learn

Many of us will do anything to avoid another's anger,... Read More

A Small Piece Of Carpet

Have you ever noticed how the way you feel about... Read More

Who Do You Talk To?

Many of you reading this will be running businesses, or... Read More

Learning To Recognize Your Ego

What is an ego? Well, in case you didn't know... Read More

Mind the Gap

The underground train in London can get you anywhere when... Read More

THE Step to Working Smarter (Japanese Style)

Remember that Coke contest from the 80s? If you collected... Read More

Some Business Coaches are in Error

Many business coaches deny the power of suggestion while using... Read More

Ten Ways to Make New Years Resolutions That You Can Actually Keep!

Are you one of the millions of people who make... Read More

Become More Self-Confident

Signs of Self-ConfidenceLet's explore the meaning of self-confidence by taking... Read More

Solution-Focused Therapy

Most types of psychotherapy involve exploring feelings, being validated, finding... Read More

Business Coaching Legacy: Reflections on What You Want to Leave Behind?

Updating my will has been on my mind for quite... Read More

Keeping Your Anger Under Control

In my work with individuals and couples, I see many... Read More

Mid Life Crisis, Life Transitions, & Ontological Coaching

Recently I have been watching a TV show called Blowout.... Read More