How To Successfully Deal With Difficult People

Everyone is different, and so too is their view of the world. While most people muddle along and do their best to get on with others, there are some folk who seem to get a kick out of being difficult in a variety of situations. Acting cold and detached, using sarcasm, and making hurtful comments are just a few of the ways in which difficult people create a toxic environment at home, in the work place, or in social circles.

Although Christmas is a wonderfully magical time to spend with loved ones, it can also be stressful, especially if you're dealing with difficult individuals. Falling out with family is a festive tradition for some people. If you want to enjoy a happy festive season, follow our steps to successfully dealing with anyone...

Pay attention

To avoid creating a negative vibe, it's essential to pay attention to how you react when interacting with other people. Clashing personalities can easily result in a situation that's highly compromised and toxic. Paying attention to the way you react to the comments and actions of others will help you manage any experience.

Take a moment to consider the personality of someone that you find difficult. Don't dwell on the negative factors that push your buttons. Instead, try to find three positive things that you like about the individual. Perhaps it's their sense of humour, generosity, or how this person makes an effort with your loved ones that stands out as being noteworthy. Make a mental note of the top 3 things, so that you can use them to your advantage in an emergency conflict situation.

Make the most of compliments

If you feel stressed around a difficult person, use a compliment to diffuse a potential argument or fallout. Stop conflict in its tracks by letting the other person know that you value their intelligence, sense of humour or the way they take charge of getting things done (or whatever was on your positive traits top 3 list).

Using a compliment, early on in communication, can help to instil a sense of calmness, and to steer the conversation in a more upbeat direction.

Practice compassion

Some people who appear to be inconsiderate or difficult have personal issues that they're not successfully dealing with. Cutting them some slack is the right thing to do in many situations.

Practice compassion, be sympathetic to what they might be going through, and use empathy to help you understand the person better. You may be pleasantly surprised to see another side to them, when you take a moment to ask them how they're doing, and show that you genuinely care.

Avoid hot topics

When you're seated around the family Christmas dining table, it's best to avoid hot topics, when you're making small talk with the relative that you don't particularly like or get on with.

Talk about things that you have in common, and forget about the controversial topics that are sure to trigger someone who enjoys a good argument. Keeping the peace means that everyone has a happy Christmas.

In social settings and in the workplace, pick your conversation topics with care, if you want to avoid getting into a verbal fight with a difficult person.

Agree to disagree

Just because a difficult person is determined to have their say, it doesn't mean that you should follow suit and rub them up the wrong way. Agreeing to disagree and taking a step back, while maintaining your calmness and a polite approach, is far more beneficial to you than losing your cool.

Your reactions are your choice. Don't be tempted to react in an angry or impolite manner, as this just adds fuel to a fire that can easily get out of control. Quietly observe, while conserving your energy and focusing on being as cool as a cucumber.

Listen to what someone is saying, but refrain from commenting. When the difficult person stops talking, say something like: “Thank you for sharing your point of view. Now, let me ask you something I've always wanted to know about you…” Ask them a question about a recent life experience to encourage them to talk positively about themselves.

Be politeness personified

It's really hard to be rude to a lovely person who is gentle, kind and considerate. It can also be quite tricky staying calm and collected during stressful times or when you feel under pressure.

Take a few deep breaths and slowly count to ten before you react to anything that a difficult individual does or says. If possible, take a walk to release tension in your body, and to reflect on the matter in a neutral way.

Temperately expressing how you feel in a situation can help a difficult person understand how their comments and behaviour impact on others.

Consulting an experienced psychic reader is an excellent way to better understand your unique personality, as well as gaining a good insight into your relationships with difficult people.