Relationships and Dealing with Difficult People

The Verbal Judo Series

Conflicts of personality are a primary factor of

internal issues.

Presidents are the facilitators of disciplinary

meetings (a time-consuming practice).

Understanding challenging personality types

can curb issues before they happen.

The Sinister Six

Fly into a rage at the drop of a hat

Unpredictable

Can act like tyrants when they don’t get their

way

Can be abusive

Separate them from the group

Allow them to vent their anger within reason

Set boundaries early

State your position, stay factual, stay cool

Smarter than you in their area of expertise

Commonly correct what you say

Quick to point out your flaws

Know your facts

Capitalize on their knowledge by asking

questions

Strategically place them on like assignments

Praise their work

Use potshots & sarcasm to undermine you

Will fail to complete projects & blame you

Rarely ever takes the lead

Rarely ever contributes

Keep issues fact-centered

If necessary, use open-ended questions to put

the spotlight on them

Use the fear of open confrontation against

them

Focuses on the down side of every issue

Every idea is wrong

Every initiative will turn out badly

Understand their perspective, but don’t

endorse it

Stay factual

Don’t get drawn into an argument

Stay positive

Super excited about everything

Volunteer for everything

Overcommit themselves

Know their expertise

Limit what you ask of them

Affirm their contributions

Teach them to say no

They watch everything but say nothing

Rarely socialize with the group

Unable to figure out motivations

Draw them out with open ended questions

Be persistent, but patient

Look for non-verbal cues

Know your triggers (mindfulness)

Bulls: Separate emotion from fact (cool down)

Geniuses: Teach, don’t preach

Sucker Punchers: Ask questions (honest

assertiveness)

Downers: Focus on the good

Cheerleaders: Get others engaged

Ghosts: Get engaged!

Thanks for playing!