Dealing with difficult people

In order to communicate with tact and skill with difficult people, you need to know what type of person they are. Here are the most commonly known difficult people types and tips on how to deal with them.

• The Know-It Alls: They have to know everything about everything and nine out ten times they are right. When they’re wrong, they get defensive. Tom Terez, an international consultant and frequent speaker on organizational performance suggests “Avoid directly challenging a know-it-all's facts or interpretation of the facts. Instead, try posing a question that can open her thinking.”

• The Passives: Passive behavior is illustrated by the desire to avoid conflict and please everyone. The passives don’t like to face problems; they are most of the time too pleasant or too eager. Dr Tony Fiore, a psychologist gives tips to cope with passive behavior, “Be on guard and don't trust what the person says or commits to. Use assertive communication skills to let a person know how what they do affect you and makes you feel.”

• The Complainers: Things are never right for them, they complain about everything. In the article, How to deal with a complainer?, Tristan Loo, an expert in conflict resolution, says “Listen to their concerns, empathize with them, and ask them what they would like you to do.”

• The "Yes" People: They want to satisfy everyone so that they never say no. The “yes” people are pleaser who promise and never deliver. They want to be loved, and that is why they agree to anything. You cannot really trust the “yes” people.

Remember when you deal with these people, either the know it-alls, passives, complainer or yes people, you need to be zen, take a break from them. If these people get on your nerves just let your anger go. As well, don’t try to change them, because you will just spend your time for nothing.

If you have any suggestions about dealing with difficult people feel free to make comments.

Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money