Dealing with difficult people is generally not our favorite thing to do on a regular basis. Whether we are paying a bill, watching a ballgame, or having a team meeting at work, it is not a welcome experience.
We all know it can happen anywhere, anytime, and when we least expect it.
Not everyone is skilled in the art of communication. Depending on the day, any of us can be more difficult to deal with than usual.
Stress makes us edgy. We know that in many areas of the U.S., people do not take time or have not learned how to communicate positively.
I choose to believe that most people still strive to live in peace and foster healthy relationships. You are entitled to disagree.
The truth is that difficult people are out there no matter where you live. So what is the answer? For many of us, the answer is to do all we can online to avoid confrontation. The ability to remain positive is a learned practice and a choice. So for the things you cannot do online, consider a few points.
When we are face to face or on the phone with difficult people:
• Stay calm in spite of how toxic they appear to be.
• Refuse to match their negative attitude or tone.
• Slow down and think before you speak.
• Avoid making judgmental remarks.
• Keep your conversation short and to the point.
When your time with them is extended, as at a ballgame or in a team meeting, you may need to calmly make a comment such as "I am just here to see the game," or "I am hoping we can get our team list done so I can get back to meet my deadline." You know how it goes: It may or may not work.
When we manage ourselves positively in the face of challenge, we walk away knowing that we did our best to accomplish what needed to be done and that we possibly de-escalated what could have become an emotional explosion. We will not always get it right because we are not perfect, but congratulations for every time we did.
Happy fall, y'all!
