STRATEGIC PLANNINGIMPLEMENTATION PHASE

“HOW TO DEAL WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE”

1. Hard to do, make, or carry out – arduous

2. Hard to deal with, manage, or overcome

3. Hard to understand, puzzling

Obstinate Stubborn Intractable Unmanageable Challenging Demanding Thorny Complex

Step back and analyze

Listen….

Attempt to understand what is driving the difficult behavior

Be aware of your body language Avoid absolutes such as

“You always” “You never”

Don’t lose emotional control Don’t take it personally Watch your tone of voice

Remember….….the person who constantly

angers you or intimidates you…..

CONTROLS YOU!

Choose your battles

Visualize your outcome

Count to 20

Take a Walk

Look in the mirror How do we treat our staff and volunteers? Do you model the behavior you expect

from others? Is compromise an option? How well do you mediate?

It is important to remember….we can’t change a person’s personality!

What changes in this process is HOW

we respond to that personality!

Criticize in private Praise in Public! Give sincere and positive reinforcement Maintain respect Agree to disagree Encourage open exchange

Assess

Stay calm

Gain understanding

Be firm

Call on the Holy Spirit

Show compassion

Demonstrate a willingness to compromise

Use Humor

Focus on a Christ-centered outcome