Difficult people

Aggressive personalities want to force their viewpoints on you. They like to blow off
steam and may attack verbally.

• Don’t attack back.
• Do ask them firmly to sit down and calmly explain what they have to say. Just listening without returning the anger can calm them.
  

Know-it-alls are experts who have no patients for other people’s input.

• Don’t be intimidated or let them take over a meeting.
• Do listen to them and try to benefit from their knowledge.
  

Victims often complain and feel they are being treated unfairly.

• Don’t try to become their protector.
• Do ask them for suggestions to try and improve the situation. They need practice giving positive ideas.

Nay-sayers have nothing good to say about others’ ideas.

• Don’t try to reform them.
• Do invite them to suggest alternatives. Many times they will back off when asked to say something constructive.
  

Yay-sayers will go along with anything just for approval.

• Don’t encourage them to make more commitments than they can handle.
• Do make sure they follow through on what they agree to.
  

Sarcastic personalities use words as weapons, often destroying harmony in a group and causing resentment. They can be poor team players.

• Don’t let them think that sarcasm is an acceptable behavior.
• Do compliment them when they say something positive or show team spirit.
  

Withdrawn personalities can seem to have nothing to contribute and are difficult to draw
out.

• Don’t nag them to open up.
• Do ask open ended questions that require them to use more than a one word answer. Be patient about waiting for their answer.