Dealing with Difficult People without Becoming One: Podcast #91

In this episode Dr. De Hicks talks about how to deal with difficult people at work (and at home).  De puts the spotlight on the challenges of dealing with emotionally and behaviorally difficult people. Employing principles from psychology, sociology, and organizational leadership, this episode delves into effective ways to comprehend their behavioral patterns and cope with their influence.

De categorizes difficult individuals into two groups—the `situationally difficult` and the `chronic pros`, who have mastered the art of being troublesome. Drawing from his encounters with more than 2000 successful professionals and 30 years of research, he provides listeners with tools to decelerate negative interactions and foster a better understanding of oneself during such challenging times.

Diving deeper into power dynamics, he sheds light on how difficult people participate in a `power game`, gaining dominance from others' responses. This episode encourages a shift in perspective and provides guidance on altering our reactions in order to neutralize their influence. A five-step guide to successfully navigate these complexities is at the heart of this episode and is certain to provide the listener with a fresh and effective approach towards difficult people.

In the short conclusion, Dr. De introduces the listener to common archetypes of difficult individuals—the `tank`, the `sniper`, and the `manipulator`. Reasserting the importance of consistency and patience in adopting the discussed techniques, the episode conveys the critical message of shifting behavior dynamics through adapting our reactions.

Culminating on a soothing note, De anticipates savoring a new bottle of Macallan 12-year-old Double Cask Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey. So tune in and discover how to handle difficult individuals more effectively while savoring some good humor and perhaps a dram of your favorite whiskey!