Dealing with Difficult People (2) By Dr. Michael Brooks
This week we will continue giving you useful information on dealing with difficult people in your life. Seldom do we know what to say or do with people who are angry and difficult to deal with. Dr. Mike will give you some great advice on how to take back control from difficult people in your life.
Anger is a real issue with difficult people, like the story mentioned last week about my brother and the woman who took his order. So, how should we deal with angry people who are difficult in our lives? First of all, before you meet with any angry individual, you need to have a plan that will protect you from this person who doesn’t care what they say (how loud) and the surroundings where you’re meeting. Here are some of my tips to help you speak to any difficult person and be in control of the conversation.
• I suggest that you first meet with this person in private. Have a meeting at a neutral place if you can set this up. I wouldn’t suggest meeting where people are seated in a crowded restaurant or shopping mall. I have had confrontational meetings in a public library in a conference room.
• Stick to the facts of why you are meeting and why. Don’t embellish your story to make a point. If you do this, your meeting will be a total waste. People will figure you out if you’re making things up and be done with your meeting. You will have to go into detail why there is a problem and how it should be resolved. Listen to what is being said from the other person’s perspective. (Important, be a good listener.)
• In order to keep your meeting respective, keep your meeting positive and upbeat. Don’t use an office meeting to confront a person without speaking with them in a private setting.
• If the angry or difficult individual wants nothing to do with you after you meet, then let them go.
Not everyone will be receptive to meeting with you privately. If they refuse, then move on to the next step and bring a witness with you and sit down and talk. The purpose of meeting with any difficult person is to get closure for each of you. I know this may be uncomfortable and not easy for you but well worth the effort to try to resolve issues between you and the other person.
Next week we will continue with dealing with difficult people in our lives. Anger is a real problem many of us face with loved ones and close friends in our lives. Dr. Mike will share some of his tips to help you win the battle with difficult people.
Are you afraid to confront difficult people in your life? Do you have family members who are difficult to get along with? Do you fear family gatherings because of past run-ins with siblings, parents? Would you like a plan that can help you face difficult people in your life? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then contact Dr. Mike for personal help and planning your next steps at 303.880.9878.
Dr. Michael Brooks is the founder of Applicable Life Coaching and Counseling Services. It is affordable, accessible, anonymous and available by appointment from the privacy of your home. To avoid travel time and the comfort of home, many clients prefer to meet with Dr. Mike over the phone or via Skype. The convenience of this type of Counseling/Coaching is the most effective means of Life Coaching for those who live outside of the Denver-metro area. Give Dr. Mike a call! You’ll be glad you did!
The dark face of evil